As the recession drives more businesses to offer internships, the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) is calling for companies to demonstrate the success of their schemes by entering its seventh annual Awards.
The NCWE Awards is firmly established as the official event to showcase best providers of undergraduate work experience and a perfect opportunity for employers to gain recognition for their commitment to the development of the future workforce.
Spanning eleven categories, the Awards are open to organisations of all sizes and industries, including charitable and public sectors. Employers, students and careers advisers have until 11 December 2009 to nominate the organisations they feel epitomise best practice in work experience by visiting www.work-experience.org/awards.
As overall winner at the NCWE 2009 Awards, Yvonne Crew, Senior Graduate Recruitment Manager at Centrica commented: “It’s a real achievement to have been recognised for our commitment to providing quality work experience. As more businesses offer placement programmes, and internships climb higher up the government’s agenda, it is now paramount that we continue to increase our engagement with higher education and build partnerships to encourage and prepare students for the work experience and the opportunities available to them.”
Heather Collier, NCWE director commented: “The recession has highlighted the importance of work experience for all involved and we are hoping to receive higher numbers of nominations from companies offering well-structured programmes. Students are more likely to look for external endorsement when seeking work experience this year and by working for a company that has received an award they can be confident that their experience will be worthwhile.”
The NCWE Awards recognise, encourage and reward employers who take the lead in the provision of valuable work placement opportunities for students, and set high standards for others to follow by offering fulfilling work placements that help students develop their employability skills.
Entries will be assessed solely by online application and a maximum of six companies will be short-listed in each category. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony that will take place in London on 23rd March 2010.
This year’s sponsors include Changeboard, AGR, GlaxoSmithKline and Centrica.
