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Information Systems, Land Registry case study

Terry Melling, Recruitment Manager for Information Systems, Land Registry; Broadcaster Laurie Taylor; Heather Collier, Director, NCWE.

Company background

Information Systems provides the information technology systems and support needed to deliver the whole range of land information services. We endavour to provide meaningful technical experience for IT students while gaining benefit from their skills.


Total number of employees

Over 450                                             

Operational countries

UK

Challenge 

  • to gain from the enthusiasm and up-to-date technical knowledge of IT students;
  • to build our reputation as the employer of choice in the Plymouth travel to work area;
  • to provide meaningful workplace experience for those studying in an academic environment.


Name of work experience scheme

No specific name. Employed for 52 weeks with the same basic pay and conditions as any new member of staff.                                 

Name of person responsible for scheme

Terry Melling

Results   

  • Assisted with filling often hard-to-fill IT vacancies. All ex-placement students who have applied for externally advertised, permanent posts have been successful in open competition.
  • Have become a significant employer of choice for IT graduates. Nearly 40% of our technical staff studied at the university where most of our work-placement students originate.
  • Have built a good reputation as a work-placement provider. We always have significantly more students applying than we are able to appoint, although there are more placement opportunities for students looking for them.


Future plans

To continue as we have for the last seven years, so long as we are able to fund the posts (ie, we have vacant posts that we are looking to fill either permanently or temporarily)

Key tips

  • Build a good working relationship with your chief provider of applicants – be visible.
  • Treat the placement students as you would any other member of staff – nothing better, nothing worse.
  • Have a robust selection procedure- this will support and promote a reputation for being open and fair with staff development/career opportunities.