The Benefits of Work Placements

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• The Benefits of Work Placements
• Darren Scott
• University of Leeds
• Phil Hudson
• Accenture
• Yorkshire Universities Conference 2006

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• University
• Students
• Business (Accenture Case Study)
• Society

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• Work Placement Centre
• (Careers Centre)
• A University-wide resource for the promotion,
  development, support, and enhancement of work
  placements and work experience

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• Codes of Practice (QAA)
• Systems infrastructure
• Reduce administrative burden
• Entrepreneurship / Commercial awareness
  (complementary to academic purposes)
• Opportunity society (one size doesnt fit all)
• Student facing
• Employer consultancy (SMEs)
• Reinforce relationship with graduate recruitment
• Link with study abroad and volunteering

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• Menu of Opportunity
• 12 month placement (optional / self sought)
• Summer Internships / Vacation work
• Shell Step (Agency of the Year 2005)
• microStep
• Module project work
• Volunteering / Student Union Societies
• Language assistantships
• Professional placements
• Law placements

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• Menu of Opportunity
• Harvard research fellowships
• Knowledge Transfer Assistants Programme
• Leonardo Da Vinci Programme
• Part time work (term time)
• Work simulations
• Self employment
• Alumni mentoring

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Student Benefits

• Application of knowledge
• Strategic career management
• Sample an organisation (culture fit)
• Meet people and exchange experiences
• Develop networking skills
• Significant addition to CV
• Employer reference
• Graduate job?
• Financial incentive in final year?
• Motivation for academic achievement

• Degree plus?
• Gain commercial awareness
• Involved in research
• Display commitment
• Market differentiation
• Evidence entrepreneurial qualities
• International travel
• Compete in global market
• Office politics (!!)
• Satisfy parents (!!)

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University Benefits

• Research / Consultancy contacts
• Enhance teaching
• Corporate training
• Student recruitment and retention
• Motivated students

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University Benefits

• Competitive advantage in graduate job market
  (League Tables)
• Strengthen relationship with alumni (virtuous
  circle)
• Army of ambassadors
• International Students
• Staff development
• Market need

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Benefits to Society

• More competitive in global marketplace
• Self-managed learners
• Entrepreneurial culture
• Growth of University SME interaction
• Adaptability (non-linear career)
• HE Business links
• Yorkshire region

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• The Benefits of Work Placements
• Questions Discussion