Partner Article

Local businesses benefit from Uni placements

Earlier this week we highlighted comments from the director-general of the CBI, Richard Lambert, on the importance of work experience for graduates.

Following this, Newcastle University’s Careers Service is putting out a call for more regional SMEs to join their work experience scheme, Newcastle Work Experience (NWE).

The programme offers local SMEs the opportunity to gain access to the skills of over 19,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students to complete project-based work placements. This year Newcastle University has extended the scheme through its 10-step plan to boost the regional economy.

As Richard commented, offering placements is an extremely cost effective route to recruitment. Employers involved with the NWE scheme in 2008/09 have found many further benefits to hosting a student.

John Lawler of Madventurer, who recently hosted a NWE placement, said: “We are already seeing a considerable increase in interest and bookings from UK Universities far beyond our traditional numbers. When most travel companies are seeing a downturn, our student’s project made a difference of £100,000 to the bottom line of the company.”

Hosting the NWE placement has also lead to Madventurer winning in the NCWE awards where they gained national media coverage by scooping the Best Work Experience Provider: Under 10 Employees award.

The Newcastle Work Experience team are currently looking for more regional SMEs to host placements on their work experience programmes. If you have a project idea you’d like to discuss, please contact Lesley Cairns on 0191 222 6469 or email lesley.cairns@ncl.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .