Sandwich placements—also known as placement years—are an incredible opportunity for businesses to nurture fresh talent while gaining valuable contributions. For students, these placements bridge the gap between university and the professional world. But for businesses? They’re a golden opportunity for growth, innovation, and building a future-ready workforce.
At Step, we’ve seen countless businesses thrive by embracing sandwich placements. From boosting productivity to discovering future leaders, here are six reasons why sandwich placements should be on your radar.
1. Gain Access to Fresh Talent and Innovative Ideas
A sandwich placement student brings cutting-edge knowledge, fresh perspectives, and innovative thinking to your business. Their academic background and eagerness to learn can lead to creative solutions for your company’s challenges.
Take Freddy, a Nutrition student from Leeds Beckett University, who completed a sandwich placement at Coppenrath & Wiese, one of Europe’s largest frozen bakery manufacturers. Through Step, Freddy secured a New Product Development placement, gaining hands-on experience with benchmarking, product testing, and working alongside senior management.
🔗 Read Freddy’s full story here: Frozen Desserts with Fred
2. A Cost-Effective Resourcing Solution
Hiring a sandwich placement student is an affordable way to meet your resourcing needs. These students bring motivation, skills, and enthusiasm while being a lower-cost alternative to hiring experienced professionals.
For example, Abin, an Electrical & Electronics Engineering student from Aston University, joined Handicare as an R&D intern through Step. During his sandwich placement, he applied university theory to real-world engineering projects, including circuit simulations and programming PCBs. This experience not only helped Handicare develop innovative solutions but also strengthened Abin’s professional skills.
🔗 Read Abin’s full story here: Applying Degree Theory to Real-Life Situations
3. Build a Future Talent Pipeline
A sandwich placement is more than just a short-term hire—it’s a strategic investment in your future workforce. Many companies use sandwich placements to trial future full-time employees, reducing long-term hiring costs.
At Step, we’ve hosted nine placement students, each of whom has brought value, gained experience, and contributed to our success. By offering a sandwich placement, you’re not only training future professionals but also building a pipeline of top talent for your business.
🔗 Read more about Step’s placement success stories here: Step’s LinkedIn Post
4. Increase Team Productivity
A sandwich placement student can take on essential tasks, freeing up your core team for more strategic projects. Their enthusiasm and willingness to contribute boost morale and improve team efficiency.
Ginika Almona, a Business Management and Entrepreneurship student at Nottingham Trent University, completed her sandwich placement at Step, helping over 200 international students prepare for the UK job market. The engagement strategies she developed increased participation by 100% and are still in use today—showing the lasting impact of a sandwich placement.
🔗 Read Ginika’s full story here: Ginika Almona at NTU
5. Strengthen Your Employer Brand
Offering a sandwich placement positions your company as an employer of choice and demonstrates your commitment to talent development. It enhances your reputation among students and universities, making future recruitment easier and more effective.
Universities like Greenwich highlight the mutual benefits of a sandwich placement, ensuring both students and businesses gain valuable experience. Step works closely with universities and employers to connect businesses with top-tier student talent.
🔗 Find out more about work placements and employability here: Greenwich University Employability & Careers Service
6. Drive Tangible Business Growth
A sandwich placement isn’t just an internship—it’s a business growth strategy. Placement students contribute to projects, streamline processes, and often deliver measurable improvements.
At Step, our own nine sandwich placement students have played a role in shaping our success. Whether in marketing, operations, or business development, their impact has been real and long-lasting.
Want to explore the different types of student placements? Our Education Glossary breaks down sandwich placements, internships, graduate schemes, and more.
🔗 Read the full glossary here: Further Education Glossary: Work & Employability
Our Final Thoughts: Why a Sandwich Placement Is a Win-Win for Businesses
A sandwich placement is one of the most effective ways to bring fresh talent, new ideas, and business impact into your company. Whether you need short-term support or a future talent pipeline, hosting a sandwich placement student is an easy win.
With proven success stories like Fred and Abin, we know how to make sandwich placements work for you. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to explore how sandwich placements can drive your business growth.