STEAM 'Get Curious' Supporters

Atrivm Ltd

Location: London

Duration: 1 week

Potential dates: Any

Number of opportunities: 1-2 at separate times

Atrium is the UK's largest independent specialist lighting supplier, partnering with world-renowned brands to create inspiring, beautifully lit spaces. At Atrium, we believe that Quality of Light = Quality of Life. The right lighting has the power to transform how people feel, work and experience a space. Our projects span offices, retail environments, residential properties and hospitality combining creativity, design and technology to deliver exceptional results. Based in London, with teams across the UK, Atrium brings together designers, architects, engineers and lighting experts who are passionate about creating solutions that focus on people and wellbeing. Collaboration, curiosity and creativity are at the heart of everything we do.

You will get an introduction to the world of architectural lighting- seeing how light can completely transform a space.

• Spend time with different teams (Design, Marketing, Sales and Warehouse) to understand how each part of the business contributes to a project.
• Learn how light can be used to enhance wellbeing, mood and creativity.
• Get hands-on experience with lighting products and see demonstrations in the office.
• Work on a mini lighting challenge- exploring how light affects colour, shadow and atmosphere.
• Meet our experts and hear how they built their careers in lighting.
• Take part in team discussions and see how ideas come to life from concept to final installation.

To apply email: Preena Devshi

DW Windsor

Location: Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire

Duration: 1 or 2 weeks

Potential dates: Any

Number of opportunities: Two but at separate times

For 50 Years DW Windsor has combined manufacturing expertise with modern lighting and smart-technology solutions. We cater for complex, specification-driven exterior-lighting projects, offering high quality, customisation and connectivity for outdoor environments where both performance and aesthetics matter. Designed and manufactured on site you can see first-hand all that goes into making first class exterior lighting.

You will be introduced to

• Product Design, CAD Modelling and 3D Printing
• Laboratory Testing, methods and types
• Lighting Design, process overview

To apply email Neil Parrott  

Ecological Lighting Solutions

Location: Penryn, Cornwall or Online

Duration: up to 5 days

Dates: June and July

Number of placements available: 1

Ecological Lighting Solutions is an independent lighting design practice based in the south-west of England, specialising in wildlife-friendly lighting design on projects all over the UK.

Things you will be introduced to:

• Introduction to lighting (general)
• Introduction to ecology (with an emphasis on bats)
• How lighting schemes are designed with ecology in mind
• Client engagement / attending project meetings
• Site visits (hopefully – depending on the location of the pupil and the projects at the time) – this could include initial site visits, on-going work, commissioning, baseline surveys, bat-surveys etc (please note these could be at night)

To apply Email Jennifer Killan

Future Designs

Location: Soho, London (Lighting Design / Showroom / Sales) and Edenbridge, Kent (Product design / Lighting design / Manufacturer)

Dates: Flexible

Duration: 5 Days                       

Number of Placements available: 2

Future Designs is a UK-based lighting manufacturer known for high-quality, innovative lighting solutions. Since 1991, they've focused on delivering world-class products with precision, using advanced technology and top-tier components.

What you can experience:

• Gain insight into the full lighting design and manufacturing process.
• Observe how products are developed from concept to production.
• Learn about high-end components and software used in the industry.
• Be part of fast-paced environment focused on quality, deadlines, and innovation.
• See how teams collaborate to deliver custom lighting solutions for global clients.

To apply email: Ewa Sulu

Hoare Lea

Locations: Bristol and London 

Duration: up to a week

Dates: Flexible

Number of placements available: 2

Why Join Hoare Lea?

• One of the UK’s largest independent engineering consultancies, with 160 years’ heritage.
• Gain industry-relevant skills and experience to boost your CV and/or college application.
• One-to-one mentorship with a team of professional lighting designers.
• Exposure to iconic, complex buildings and infrastructure—from cultural landmarks and high-rise offices to hospitals, schools and data centres.
• Strong sustainability focus: active in net-zero carbon design, energy modelling, circular economy and resilient cities.
• Early adopters of BIM/VDC, digital twin workflows and advanced M&E simulation tools.

One-Week Summer Lighting Placements for Year 10 Students – Bristol & London
Are you a Year 10 student (14–15 years) curious about lighting and design? Hoare Lea Lighting —one of the UK’s leading lighting design consultancies—is offering two one-week summer placements where you’ll go behind the scenes on real lighting-design projects in our Bristol and London offices!
What You’ll Do
Be part of a team!  contribute and be heard. Good teamwork is important for engineers and designers no matter what level of experience you may have.

• Help shape concept sketches into practical lighting schemes for internal and external spaces using a range of differing techniques.
• Contribute fresh ideas in mind map sessions to find creative, humancentric and sustainability-focused solutions.
• Be introduced to the basics of lighting-design software (Relux, DIALux, Adobe create suite, REVIT/enscape, hand sketching and more) which help us devise and create our concepts and designs.
• Shadow our lighting team on site-visits and see how concepts, developed designs and collaboration with others can make thoughts become reality.

To apply Email Recruitment. 

Holophane Europe Limited

Location: Milton Keynes

Duration 1-2 weeks

Dates: Any

Number of opportunities: 2 but not concurrently

For over 125 years the name Holophane has enjoyed an enviable reputation throughout the world for expertise, quality and innovation in lighting. From the earliest days when the company pioneered its famous glass refractor, the Holophane name has been ever present as a leader in the field of luminaire and lighting design.

In today’s environment, where landscape lighting, modern architecture and public space projects predominate, the Holophane name remains synonymous with quality design, high performance, low maintenance and cost-effective lighting.
Incorporating interior, exterior, amenity, road, rail and floodlighting luminaires alongside our control solutions, Holophane’s product range is suitable for today’s demanding, environmentally conscious world, offering lowest total cost of ownership, engineering quality, cutting-edge design and outstanding optical performance.

Work Experience Description and things you'll be introduced to

• Lighting Design investigation
• Photometric and compliance lab tour
• Business introduction

To apply email:  Technical Manager – Work experience

Kemps Architectural Lighting

Location: Kirkstall, Leeds

Duration: up to a week

Dates: Flexible (NB not 11 to 22 May)

Number of placements available: 2

To apply email Kemps Architectural Lighting

Michael Grubb Studios

Locations: London & Bournemouth

Duration: 1 week

Potential dates: Flexible

Number of opportunities: 1 or 2 per year. 

Michael Grubb Studio is an international lighting design consultancy dedicated to transforming spaces through innovative and award-winning design. Recognised as a trusted and independent voice within the industry, our reputation extends across the globe. Our diverse portfolio spans multiple sectors, from cultural landmarks and commercial developments to public realm and hospitality projects. By combining creativity, technical expertise, and a collaborative approach, we deliver lighting solutions that are both dynamic and impactful, leaving a lasting impression on the spaces and communities we serve. At Michael Grubb Studio, our mission is to consistently create lighting designs that resonate - enhancing environments, shaping experiences, and inspiring people.

During your placement, you will be introduced to the creative world of lighting design, exploring how light can transform places and shape the way we experience spaces. You will:

• Develop creative thinking with light, from initial concept ideas through to understanding how technical solutions bring designs to life.
• Gain a basic knowledge of lighting techniques and technologies used in our projects.
• See first-hand how our team applies lighting design across a range of sectors and project types.
• Take part in a site visit, event, or activity where you can experience the industry in action and discover the opportunities it offers.

By the end of the week, you will have a strong introduction to the role of lighting design and an insight into the creative and technical skills that shape our work.

To apply email: Teresa Heaven

Mode Lighting

Location: Ware / Hertford

Duration: 4 or 5 Days to be confirmed 9-3pm daily, again subject to confirmation

Duration: May-July, exact dates to be confirmed and will try and be flexible to suit schools requirement

Number of Opportunities: Up to four students together

Mode Lighting is a privately owned UK company specialising in the design and manufacture of lighting controls for the architectural, commercial, hospitality and residential sectors working in conjunction with lighting and interior designers to help create the right ambience in a space.

The work experience programme is being developed but will cover

• Business overview sessions looking at what a business does, what are it’s aims and how different disciplines come together to create a successful business. This may include time looking at Design, Technical, Manufacturing, Sales and Administration aspects of our business.
• Lighting Sessions : An introduction to lighting, why different lighting suits different applications, why the overall design matters and why sunlight, shading and the physiological effects of lighting all have an impact.
• Behind the Lighting: Looking at the control of lighting, what we do as Mode Lighting and how electronics, engineering and lighting come together.
• Group Task across the week: Develop an idea for a lighting product, review the application, research products that may already exist, look at the processes involved from design brief to boxed product and how external factors may influence the product from environmental impact, costs and marketing to designing for manufacture.

To apply email James King

Nulty

Company Location: London

Duration: One Week 

Potential dates: Any dates

Number of opportunities: One work placement

Nulty is an award-winning lighting design consultancy, operating across the globe in partnership with some of the world’s foremost architects and interior designers. 

Founded in London in 2011 by Paul Nulty, the practice has expanded its international network to include studios in Dubai, Miami, Bangkok, Pune, Singapore, Bengaluru and Lisbon. The team work on architectural lighting design projects at every scale, from city masterplans, public realm and façade projects, to hospitality, retail, commercial, residential and cultural schemes. 

Collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of the practice. Improving life through light – no matter what the scale – is the goal. Light is rarely the focus of attention and serves to elevate the architecture and surroundings, while evoking the right emotions in the people that occupy that space.

Work Experience Description and things you'll be introduced to 

Nulty is offering a week-long work experience placement at its London studio, giving one student the chance to experience life behind the scenes at a leading lighting design consultancy.

During the placement, the student will be mentored by a senior member of the team who will introduce them to the profession of lighting design and the key skills involved in bringing architectural lighting design schemes to life. They will have the opportunity to shadow designers working on live projects and observe how ideas evolve through each stage of the design process.

By the end of the week, the student will have developed an understanding of how creative concepts are transformed into technical designs and gained an introduction to design tools such as CAD drawing, 3D modelling and photometric calculations.

To apply email: Hina Bhudia 

Signify Commercial UK Limited

Location: Guildford

Duration: 1 week

Dates: Week beginning 8th or 15th June

Number of placements available: 1

Signify is the world leader in lighting. We provide professional customers and consumers with quality products, systems and services. And our connected lighting offerings bring light and the data they collect to devices, places and people - redefining what light can do and how people use it. Our innovations contribute to a safer, smarter more sustainable world.

During the work experience week, you will have the opportunity to work in Signify’ s UKI Services team where you will gain insights into how our products are made, looked after, and applied. We will show you how the engineering side of our business operates from carrying out surveys to troubleshooting. You will get to see how our connected control systems can switch, dim and monitor 10’s of thousands of light points in major Cities across the UK all while sitting at your desk. Signify’ s lighting products are at the forefront of technological advances, and you will see how the highly skilled Services team look after our customers by ensuring their Signify products and installations run to their optimum. We look forward to showing you how we do it!

To apply Email Plamena Shaw

Smith Dixon and Associates Ltd (SDA)

Location: Remote (via Teams or Zoom) with initial face to face introduction on school premises if permitted and if locality is suitable

Duration: 1 week

Dates: Flexible

Number of placements available: 1

SDA is a product design consultancy specialising in the design and development of luminaires for commercial lighting segment.  SDA is involved in all aspects of a luminaires design, from initial concept through to detail design, prototype and product launch.  SDA also undertakes the thermal design of heatsinks and optical design of reflectors and lenses.  
There will also be the opportunity to learn about the use of 3D printing and plant polymers via a sister company called LumiAdd.  LumiAdd specialises in the design and production of architectural luminaires utilising 3D printing as a manufacturing process and plant polymers as a material.

During this placement, the applicant will get a hands-on experience with the full design process of a commercial luminaire, primarily under the guidance of SDA but with additional exposure to advanced manufacturing techniques provided by LumiAdd.
The experience will begin with an introduction to the fundamentals of lighting and luminaire design, covering key areas such as luminaire types (commercial, decorative, and bespoke), application types (including office, retail, and industrial environments), and an overview of lamp technologies—from traditional to modern sources. The applicant will also gain insight into basic electronics, thermal management through heatsink design, optical control, and overall product design principles.
As part of the hands-on experience, the applicant will be introduced to prototyping techniques and small-scale manufacturing processes. At LumiAdd, they will learn how sustainable materials, such as plant-based polymers, are used in 3D printing to produce luminaire components in volume.
This placement offers a great opportunity to see how ideas become real products and to understand the different stages involved in designing and making modern lighting.

To apply Email Lewis Smith

Southwark Council

Location: Peckham - London

Duration: 2 days associated to Lighting

Dates: TBC

Number of placements available: 1

We are a small direct labour organisation within a local authority in South London. We are a completely in house team and carry out both the client, design and contractor function in regard to Street Lighting and Electric Vehicle infrastructure. We maintain over 18,000 street lighting columns and nearly 2000 Electric vehicle charge points. 
As part of the 2 days, you will be introduced to how a Local Authority sets out its Lighting policy and strategy for the Borough and why it may tailor this to its local communities whilst still being compliant to British Standards. You will then work through designing a lighting scheme on a local road, using Lighting Reality and CAD to produce a design and drawing. We will talk about remote monitoring of the luminaires and spend a day with the operational team looking at basic electrical works and some of the Health & safety associated to working with electrics and on the Highway. We will also look to introduce you to EV Charging infrastructure and discuss the site selection process, logistical roll out and ongoing maintenance. 

To apply email: Perry Hazell

Stoane Lighting

Location: Loanhead

Duration: 1 week

Potential dates: Summer 2026

Number of opportunities: 1 - 2

Stoane Lighting is an award winning specialist manufacturer of architectural luminaires. Founded in 1995, Stoane Lighting carries a wealth of knowledge, experience and ever evolving capability. It designs, manufactures and assembles all of its own products to order, by hand, in Scotland. From a comprehensive range of precision-engineered, high-performance products to suit most applications, to a complete Bespoke Service: where creative freedom meets technical expertise to transform a designer's concept into a reality. It is an employee owned certified B Corp working at the forefront of the lighting industry to establish a truly sustainable future; using artificial light to enhance our experience of the world without damaging it.

During this opportunity you will be in production and workshop: Manual and CNC machinery, electrical testing, soldering, solving wiring schematics, assembling with tools. Potentially product design, photometric testing, environmental assessment methodologies and opportunities to dive into the technical aspects of a luminaire: CCT, CRI, dimming, driver loading, and more.

To apply email: Steve Hawkins

Ström

Location: Online/London/Sweden

Three options:

1: Online / Remote via Teams/ Video call

2: Joining us on Site Visits to see a project in progress or a manufacturer (Likely in the Greater London Area)

3:We are based in our Swedish office (Storgatan 28 / 903 21 Umeå / Sweden)  which is unlikely to be relevant / viable for applicants.

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Dates: Flexible

Number of placements available: 1 per academic year

Ström is a lighting design studio founded by Swedish/British partnership Anna Clara Sandgren and Emilio Hernandez. We’re based in Sweden, but the projects we collaborate on are far and wide. We work with architects and designers to bring spaces to life with light.

We hope to give some insight into what it is like working in a design role in the construction industry, provide an introduction to principles of light and to show how though remote working even a small design studio can collaborate with clients and designers all over the world. 

To apply email Info. 

TRILUX Middle East FZCO

 Location: Dubai, UAE

Duration : 5 days

Potential dates : TBC

Number of opportunities : 10

Company Profile/Description

Work Experience Description and things you'll be introduced to.

To apply Email: Rahiba Rafeeq - Marketing Activation Leader | Middle East & APAC

Thorlux Lighting

Location: Redditch

Duration: Five days

Potential dates: Year-round

Number of opportunities: Maximum of three per year (one at a time)

Thorlux Lighting is a globally recognised manufacturer of luminaires and lighting control systems, headquartered in Redditch. The company was founded in 1936, and Thorlux proudly manufactures over 90% of its products in the Midlands, employing more than five hundred people locally. Thorlux is a complete lighting solutions partner, a single point of contact for luminaires, controls, design, installation, and more. Sustainability and environmental care are written in the organisation’s DNA, with a 2040 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target. Ninety years after its foundation, Thorlux remains at the forefront of efficient, high-quality lighting technology.

Work Experience Description and things you will be introduced to – A wide range of work experience opportunities in the factory and around the offices, including:

• Product design and marketing
• Sales and customer support
• Lighting design and projects
• Finance and human resources
• Manufacturing and assembly
• Sustainability

Depending on your area of interest, we will arrange a wide-ranging work experience plan across one or more departments. You will have the chance to shadow and key team members, learning from their experience and discovering the possibilities that await in your potential future lighting industry career.

To apply email: Mark Stevenson

TRYKA LED Ltd

Location: Letchworth

Duration: 1 week

Dates: Flexible

Number of placements available: 3

Tryka is a LED Lighting Manufacturer. 

During the work placement you will be introduced to:

• Assembly and testing of safety extra low voltage LED lighting fixtures, option to learn soldering for those interested
• Labelling and Packaging of products
  
• General warehouse duties, picking, packing and processing paperwork
  
• General sales administration - Quotations and sales support
  
• Soft CAD skills, such as running take-offs for units and measurements of linear light fixtures
  
• Answering and Directing incoming telephone calls
  
• Organising sales samples and assisting with the wiring / plug and play operation of lights
  

To apply Email Kya Rolph

Urbis Schréder

Location: Basingstoke

Duration: up to a week

Dates: Flexible

Number of placements available: 3 or 4

At Urbis Schréder, we bring meaningful moments to people by enhancing safety, well-being, and sustainability in public spaces. As the leading independent outdoor lighting solution provider worldwide, we believe that lighting can empower people, impact lives, support communities, and transform spaces, cities, and the planet. We are experts at using light to its fullest potential, to bring meaningful moments to people in public spaces.

The placement is dependant on interests and we can offer anything from Marketing, to Finance, to Engineering. We tend to adapt the plan based on the individuals interests. 

To apply email: Sarah Kennedy, People Business Partner

Zumtobel Group

Location: Spennymoor, County Durham

Duration: 1 week

Potential dates: June/July

Number of opportunities: One

Global Lighting technology business. An international leader in innovative lighting solutions & lighting components through our renowned brands - Thorn, Tridonic, and Zumtobel. We provide a comprehensive portfolio of products and services to customers all over the world. With decades of expertise, we understand how light affects people. From providing smart lighting controls or emergency systems, managing turnkey lighting projects, or providing innovative, data-driven services for connected buildings and cities, we ensure our customers have the tools and expertise they need. With offerings like light contracting, design services, and project management, we provide end-to-end solutions by delivering transformative results that illuminate, connect, and inspire. Our services are among the most comprehensive in the entire lighting industry.

You will be introduced to

• Product manufacturing
• Product development
• Research & development
• Customer care/services
• Light & design

To apply email Jennifer Littlejohn