Banner Blog

Banner is working in partnership with Usel to offer work placements for students within our Newtownards Distribution Centre, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Usel is a leading provider in helping people with disabilities or health conditions gain employment. 

Banner is providing three students who are part of Usel’s 3-year Skills for Life & Work programme with vital work experience within our warehouse. This will help the students gain qualifications with first-hand work experience. 

We also have a learner on Usel’s Empower programme, which offers employment support for individuals who are unemployed and have a disability, health condition or who identify as autistic or neurodivergent. In addition to providing work experience, this programme supports individuals with their CVs, job applications and interview skills. 

Work Experience at Banner

Banner provides the students with work experience within the busy warehouse, covering areas such as goods-in, picking, packing, and order dispatch. They work closely with a dedicated member of Banner staff to gain confidence and to ensure they have a familiar point of contact. 

Leah Mildenhall, Head of Northern Ireland Customer Experience and Sales for Banner, commented: “We see a continual growth in confidence week on week, which is fantastic for the students. This scheme has proved very successful for both the students and Banner, providing them with experience to assist them with gaining full-time employment in the future whilst allowing Banner to give back to the local community”.

The students’ confidence has steadily increased during their time working at Banner. The work placement is a fantastic tool which aids the learners as they develop the necessary skills and confidence through team building, problem solving and communication. These skills are vital assets for them to transition into full-time employment upon completion of the course.” 

The Benefits of Work Experience

Work placements provide an excellent opportunity for young people to gain valuable insight into the working world. They provide an opportunity to explore possible career options, provide direction and build the skills required to succeed. There are many advantages of work experience:

CV enhancing

Work experience demonstrates initiative to future employers and that you are serious about finding work in your chosen area. It increases your employability as it signifies that you can work within a professional environment. 

Building a professional network/networking 

Work experience presents opportunities for expanding your contacts in the industry. Sometimes, who you know can be beneficial in securing a job. 

Exploring career options 

Choosing a career path can be difficult. Work placements provide valuable insight into industries and allow you to explore different opportunities whilst also expanding your skillset. 

Gain knowledge and skills 

Work placements offer opportunities to enhance essential skills that are key to employability, such as communication, teamwork and organisation. Gaining first-hand experience is a valuable way to acquire the specific skills required to break into your desired industry. 

Build confidence 

Developing confidence is important for effective communication, contribution, and feeling comfortable expressing your opinions within the workplace. Work placements can help boost your confidence as you tackle real-life challenges and engage with new people.

Banner encourages personal and professional development 

Banner is committed to providing individuals with opportunities to gain new skills, advance their careers and support personal development, all of which work placements foster. In line with this commitment, Banner offers the chance for employees to undertake an apprenticeship alongside their roles.  

In addition to Banner’s dedication to supporting employee well-being, community involvement and corporate social responsibility, we also provide each employee with two fully-paid charity days per year. These days enable employees to volunteer for a cause they are passionate about, including our Group charity, evo Foundation. 

Volunteering benefits the community and provides the opportunity to gain valuable new skills and experiences through learning something new, building connections, or diversifying your usual work routine.  

Most recently, Banner worked with the evo Foundation to donate vital supplies to the MK Foodbank in Milton Keynes. Find out more here: Donating vital supplies to MK Food Bank.

Find out more about Banner’s commitments in our CSR Charter.