Opening doors in Oldham: How our partnership with Muse is changing student pathways

As part of our commitment to celebrating the people and partnerships that play an integral role in the places we work, we sat down with Mark Barratt, T-Level and Work Placement Officer at Oldham College.

We spoke to Mark about the impact our partnership has had on Oldham College students, and the value that strong, meaningful, partnerships with employers such as Muse have in helping young people take their first steps into work.

At Oldham College, every placement is an opportunity for our students to take a significant step toward their future. However, our partnership with Muse goes far beyond this.

Since beginning our work with Muse in 2023, they have shown us what is possible when an employer chooses to truly invest in the next generation. When they treat students not as short-term placements but as emerging professionals whose potential deserves to be nurtured.

Earlier this year we saw our latest two students joined Muse on placement, and watching their development was remarkable. You see more than new technical skills forming – you see confidence grow, attitudes shift, and their eyes begin to open to what a career within the industry really looks like.

This transformation is possible because of Muse’s approach. For them, placements are never a tick-box exercise. They are committed to giving students a meaningful, high-quality, learning experience. When an Oldham College student joins the team, they are welcomed, trusted, challenged, and encouraged. They go on site tours, experience working with different teams, and gain a real insight into placemaking in action.

Their mindset shifts away from that of a school leaver. They speak with more maturity, and their confidence in engaging with people of different ages, backgrounds, and professions grows significantly. These employability skills are difficult to teach in the classroom, but placements like these accelerate a student’s understanding what pathways they can take, how to work, and how to navigate life.

Muse has also been ahead of the curve on T-Levels. When we first approached them, they were already prepared, enthusiastic, and thinking carefully about how they could support this new pathway into the industry. Many employers still do not know that a T-Level in Design, Surveying and Planning exists, but Muse did. Because of this, they were among the first to access a previously untapped pool of talent.

We have seen the benefits of this approach first hand. When a permanent role became available at Muse, former Oldham College student Jadon Dooley, who had completed his placement with the team, was a natural fit. He already understood the culture, the expectations, and the people. His placement had created a clear and smooth pipeline from education to employment.

Muse’s commitment also continues beyond the placement itself. They have supported our students with mock interviews, CV workshops, and careers sessions at the college – and have made a commitment to continue to do so.

Our students who have experienced working with Muse have had doors opened to other companies and areas of the industry too. Whether it’s through exposure to its design and professional consultant teams, or attending industry events, these experiences have helped our students understand not only planning and regeneration, but also the broader ecosystem of placemaking and what brings a town centre to life.

This insight is particularly important in Oldham, where Muse is actively helping to shape the future of the town centre. Our students gain a front-row seat to this transformation and a deeper connection to their own community.

At Oldham College, we work with around 600 employers. Each one contributes in its own way, but Muse brings something special, which is genuine partnership and a clear commitment to the growth of young people.

They do not simply offer placements. They invest in the next generation through collaboration, care, and long-term thinking. They are more than an employer to us, and we are more than an educator to them.

We are incredibly grateful that Muse has chosen to work with us, and we look forward to continuing to build on our strong partnership. When employers and educators work together with shared values and purpose, young people do not just learn, they thrive.