Intel

Intel is the world's largest silicon chip maker. From manufacturing sites in Israel to sales and marketing offices in Ukraine, Intel employees are making a positive impact worldwide.

Just under 1000

48 countries

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 workplace experience.

Work-experience programme

HR Staffing

Intel have been offering a work-experience programme for 17 years.

•  Intel offers a long-term placement, lasting 13 months, to undergraduates (mainly second year students completing Bachelor's degrees.).

• By taking on such a high volume of Interns on an award winning internship, and building long standing relationships with University establishments, Intel attracts the highest calibre of students who bring with them fresh ideas and new perspectives that help the organisation to flourish.
• The underlying benefit of the Internship is the potential to move onto Recent College Graduate conversion.  The internship positions are considered the primary source for the recruitment of Recent College Graduates.
• The students themselves gain valuable, hands-on experience in industry; gaining an insight into personal abilities and aptitudes.
• Work-experience allows students the chance to relate and apply knowledge gained from university as well as helping them to make informed choices about career direction.

• Each year, interns successfully complete projects benefiting the organisation.
• The main objective of the work-experience programme for Intel is to hire new talents once they have graduated from university.  By engaging with students early, through work-experience programmes prior to graduation, companies can increase the chances of hiring high calibre students.
• Intel is a finalist in the 'Over 250 Employees Long Term Placements' category at the 2008 NCWE Awards.

• Not to set application deadlines in November as it is too early for students.  Next year the deadline will be pushed to late December.

• Intel is currently piloting short-term placements of 3 months with MBA students and will review the success of this initiative in order to decide whether it would be beneficial for Intel to expand the pilot to other groups.
• The company are also considering offering interns shadowing experience within other departments to broaden their experience.

1. It is important to build strong and efficient relationships with the key universities you are hiring from, in order to attract a high calibre of students.
2. An in depth induction process is essential.  It is vital that the new students receive a smooth and effective handover wherever possible.
3. In order for both the company and the individual to get the most out of the work experience programmes, students must receive continuous training and development throughout their placement.  It is vital that students enhance development areas by understanding their strengths and weaknesses.