Yorkshire Forward reaps the benefits of the National Council for Work Experience's Quality Mark
Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and Humberside, received the National Council for Work Experience Quality Mark accreditation in May 2007 for its excellent student work experience programme and continues to reap the benefits of this prestigious award.
The NCWE’s Quality Mark recognises outstanding employer practice in student work experience provision. It is intended to raise standards for work experience and give employers the opportunity to share good practice across a range of industry sectors as well as take a more strategic view of their relationships within higher education.
The Quality Mark is valid for a three-year period during which NCWE provides ongoing advice and support. At the end of the three years, organisations can apply for reaccreditation.
Since achieving the Quality Mark, Yorkshire Forward’s HR Manager Barbara Atkinson believes that its work placement scheme has only got better:
“Being accredited with the Quality Mark has made us look at the scheme and implement improvements. It adds value to the experience.”
Yorkshire Forward runs a twelve-month undergraduate placement programme for students required to complete a year in industry as part of their degree. The placement gives students a full taster of working at the company and in the public sector.
The criteria for the award are very demanding; employers must submit a written application which is evaluated by an external advisory board against the Quality Mark’s comprehensive assessment criteria. These criteria fall into eight sections and test all aspects of employers’ work experience programmes including, recruitment procedures, induction practice and evaluation and monitoring. The eight elements are based on professional and academic expertise and are intended to guide the student in terms of work and career progression during the statement. Yorkshire Forward has continued to use these criteria as a focus points for improvements to the scheme.
“We strive to make improvements to the scheme each year, and the robust accreditation process has allowed us to build on our existing programme and introduce new ideas.”
Babara Atkinson felt that in achieving and maintaining the standards required for the Quality Mark, the work placement scheme has significantly aided Yorkshire Forward’s student recruitment programme:
“We want to ensure we attract the best students to the scheme and gaining the Quality Mark has helped us do this. Students recognise that it’s a good scheme and have faith that they will be provided with a good placement.”
An additional benefit of student work placements is that employee retention is higher amongst personnel recruited as a result of internship programmes indicating that investing in student work experience and the accreditation process makes sound business sense.
Heather Collier, Director of the NCWE said:
“I would like to see more employers following in the footsteps of Yorkshire Forward in offering a scheme of this calibre. Organisations who achieve the Quality Mark all run extremely strong work experience programmes and offer interns the opportunity to really become fully integrated within the company. Successful applications have to demonstrate a dedication to helping participants grow personally and professionally.”
21 October 2008
