Winners : Cancer Research UK

Winner in the Charitable Sector Long-term placement category

Cancer Research UK is a national charity offering 12 week placements at branches across the UK.

The judges were particularly impressed with Cancer Research’s approach to student placements. Their scheme is advertised internally to heads of departments, outlining the benefits of the scheme and how to request a placement student. Successful applications are those which have a clear business benefit and also are of benefit to the student.

The internal staff who requested a placement student and are successful then become mentors for their students. They assist in recruiting the student and become their mentor when the placement begins. Placement students at Cancer Research are given ‘real work’ on a project which will make a real difference to the charity. Students can also apply for their preferred project when applying to the placement scheme rather than just a general vacancy.

Cancer Research UK ensures that all students have genuine ownership of their projects, and that they receive the correct training, through internal courses to enable them to complete their work to a high standard. The placement students are asked to take part in a showcase at the end of the programme, completing a presentation on the project they have completed to Directors and Heads of Departments.

Key success factors

• A very structured placement programme with excellent outcomes and work achievements.
• Learning opportunities for student mentors.
• The organisation is able to re-examine their working patterns as a result of the fresh perspectives.

“An amazing insight into the working of the UK’s largest charity - a fantastic platform from which to build a career” Placement Student, Cancer Research