Work Placements at ATU

Where talent meets opportunity

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is one of the largest muti-campus universities in Ireland, serving a diverse group of learners, staff, communities and organisations from our region and further afield. 

Benefits of a Work Placement

Workplace Skills: 

Our programmes equip students with strong technical capabilities, enriched by both practical and academic learning. They also build essential transferable skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, collaboration, and critical thinking. 

Influencing the Future of Learning: 

We foster partnerships across sectors connecting academic staff to industry professionals across the region. Engaging with students through work placements, offers employers a unique opportunity to give back while also benefiting from fresh perspectives and emerging talent.  

New Ideas, New Perspectives: 

Students contribute fresh ideas, new practices and perspectives to the workplace, bringing the latest research and learning being taught at ATU. They can also provide additional support for projects and research. 

Talent Pipeline & Future Recruitment: 

By offering students work placements, employers can build a valuable pool of potential future recruits. Students gain practical experience, while employers can identify talented, motivated individuals, who are already familiar with their organisation’s culture and operations 

What Students Can Offer You

• Students offer a source of skilled labour and an insight into new practices being taught at ATU. 
• Students provide a flexible and cost-effective solution to recruitment needs and help ease staff workload at busy times. 
• Students bring new ideas and new perspectives into the workplace. 
• Employers can recruit an additional resource to undertake projects. 
• Employers can identify potential new recruits and create a feeder pool for future graduate recruitment. 
• It provides people management development opportunities for staff. 
• It develops links with ATU for a range of purposes, such as Research and Development, Graduate Recruitment and Programme Development. 

What is a Work Placement?

Work Placement is a planned period of professional learning or experience, which may be accredited, where the learning outcomes are part of a Higher Education programme or module.  

It is a three-way partnership between an employer, a student and a Higher Education Institution (HEI), where a student is given the opportunity to work and learn in a professional environment relevant to their studies to achieve set goals.  

• ATU is committed to serving industry through the development of programmes which are co-produced by academic experts, industry partners and our students themselves, making them contemporary, interdisciplinary and relevant to the world of work.  

• ATU is a key producer of work-ready students and graduates in collaboration with employers, a key partner and driver of research and innovation. 

• ATU has one overarching goal – equipping students with the requisite knowledge, skills, personal attributes and confidence to contribute to your business requirements while also reaching their individual career goal. 

What is the Process?

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity this programme provides and for the positive impact it has had on our staff, our service, and ultimately the children in our care.” 

Áine Crowe – Bright Sparks Montessori / Playschool

“We are delighted that the students bring their own experiences and benefits of their studies in the college to our service… overall placements are mutually beneficial, supporting students’ professional development while adding quality to our service.” 

Aoife Grealis – Care and Education Academy, Castlebar

Work Placement Stages

Before Placement

• Have clear reasons for recruiting a student and realistic expectations
• Contact ATU to find out which courses are most appropriate to your needs
• Prepare a job specification and engage in the selection process
• Consider how you can meet the student’s course learning outcomes
• Appoint a workplace mentor who will support the student
• Clearly outline reporting structures, health and safety, codes of conduct, duties and responsibilities, dress codes and payroll arrangements

During Placement

• Provide induction and health and safety training to support workplace transition
• Provide assessment documentation as required by ATU
• Facilitate ATU visits where required

After Placement

• Provide feedback on the student’s performance
• Hold a review meeting with the student before placement ends
• Give feedback and suggestions to ATU for placement improvements
• Explore further engagement with ATU

Guides and Resources

Employer Best Practice Guide 

Download our Employers Best Practice Guides for further details and guidelines. 

Faculty Contact Details

You will find all the relevant contact details here for each course or programme of study – connect with the relevant coordinator to begin the process. 

Contact Us

Please email us at workplacements@atu.ie if you have any questions