Topic: Work Experience
Company name: Yorkshire Forward
Scheme partner: National Council for Work Experience (NCWE)

About NCWE
The National Council for Work Experience is part of HECSU, the Higher Education Careers Services Unit. It promotes, supports and develops quality work experience for the benefit of students, organisations and the economy.

About Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward is one of nine regional development agencies that were set up by the government to help promote economic development within their region. The main areas of work include helping people get jobs, developing the towns and cities in the area and helping businesses find new markets.

Total number of employees
Approximately 450, all of whom are employed in the Yorkshire and Humber area.

Operational countries
Due to the nature of the organisation, Yorkshire Forward operates within the Yorkshire and Humber area. However, relationships are made with other regions and other countries to encourage investment in the region.

Challenge
Often work experience is marred with images of tea-making and filing, but this is not the case with modern work experience programmes. Employers today face the challenge of implementing and maintaining a quality programme that benefits both the company and the individual. Structured programmes can enable companies to complete projects, recruit new employees and allow the student invaluable work place experience.

Project name
Work experience programme.

Project manager
HR Team and current HR undergraduate.

Responsibilities
The current HR undergraduate takes the lead on the management of the day-to-day activities while the HR manager oversees the scheme with support from a designated member of HR. This develops the HR undergraduate by giving them experience in managing the scheme while ensuring continuity year-on-year.

Length of scheme
Yorkshire Forward offer year long placements to university undergraduates. They have been offering this scheme for five years.

Work experience structure
•  All students undergo an induction process which is the same induction as other employees receive. It's aimed to integrate the individual into the company.

• Undergraduates have sessions to meet key employees such as the chief executive, assistant chief executive and the chair.

• Throughout the year monthly development meetings take place, specifically for the undergraduates. These aim to create a support network and focus on training and shared learning.

• A structured quarterly review scheme provides formal two-way feed back, in addition to regular one-to-one meetings with their line manager.

• Visits from university tutors are also encouraged to ensure students are meeting the requirements of the university.

Benefits
• The benefits of the scheme work for both the company and the students.

• Undergraduates benefit from extensive training in both specific and transferable skills. The programme also offers flexibility for varied learning opportunities in other departments providing a wealth of experience.

• The company benefits from the real work that the undergraduate undertakes, that has tangible benefits. A fresh outlook is gained and ways of working are challenged, to enable to company to keep moving forward.

Results
• Many undergraduates have gone on to be employed after their placement. Over 44% of previous undergraduates have had their contracts extended or have been offered permanent jobs following their placement.

• Throughout their time at Yorkshire Forward, the undergraduates complete specific project work. Examples of projects that have been involved in include: Implementing a management development programme, gaining NCWE quality mark accreditation and project managing the Graduate Yorkshire project.

• Yorkshire Forward are finalists in the ‘Public Sector’ category at the 2008 NCWE Awards.

Lessons
•  Improvements are made each year to all aspects of the scheme

• Last year, the undergraduate quarterly review scheme was adapted to better meet their needs. Preparation forms now help the undergraduates use the appraisals more efficiently.
 
Future plans
• Over the last few years the number of placement opportunities has increased and this is a possible trend for the future.

• Yorkshire Forward will also continue to make improvements to the programme based on undergraduate feedback.

Key tips

1. Before offering a placement, plan work that the undergraduate can do, but don’t underestimate their capabilities, challenge them and offer ‘real’ work, as this will benefit both the student and the company.

2. Be prepared to offer support and training.

3. Treat them as another member of the team, not a student.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The National Council for Work Experience is part of HECSU, the Higher Education Careers Services Unit. It promotes, supports and develops quality work experience for the benefit of students, organisations and the economy. Its role includes disseminating information and good practice, encouraging the development of quality standards and encouraging more employers to provide placement opportunities. NCWE run an annual awards scheme to encourage and reward organisations that display good practice in work experience.


National Council for Work Experience and the Quality Mark accreditation scheme:
T: 0161 277 5267
E: workexperience@prospects.ac.uk
www.work-experience.org


ADDRESS:

National Council for Work Experience
Prospects House
Booth Street
Manchester
M13 9EP