Work experience and internships : Quality Mark

Identify companies that offer high quality work experience

When applying for work experience positions, the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) recommends that students thoroughly research the placement opportunities they are interested in. Good work placement employers should demonstrate their commitment to providing quality experience that will develop and support students. You should be employed to carry out ‘real’ work and projects to help you enhance your employability and academic skills.

Organisations that provide high quality placements will often use their work experience programmes to identify talented students for their graduate schemes. Therefore, it is good practice for placement employers to have assessment and reflection methods in place to help you record and demonstrate your ability to perform well within future employment opportunities.

If you want to be guaranteed high quality work experience, do your research. Attend careers and placements fairs to talk to employers directly about their work experience schemes; try to talk to other students who have carried out a placement at the company; and look out for organisations that have been awarded the NCWE Quality Mark. Companies accredited with the Quality Mark have proven that they are dedicated to the professional development of students within higher education.

Companies with outstanding work experience opportunities 

The National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) Quality Mark recognises and accredits employers who meet a national standard for work experience provision for students.

Being employed by a Quality Mark accredited company means you will benefit through:

• job satisfaction;
• a good working environment;
• recognition and development;
• high-quality training;
• being given responsibility and involvement;
• being given the opportunity to discover what career suits you;
• gaining real skills, both transferable and practical;
• increasing your employability.

View work experience Quality Mark accredited companies.

View the organisations currently applying for Quality Mark accreditation.

The NCWE Quality Mark is also endorsed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

AGCAS

Editor, Graduate Prospects

Date: 

November 2010

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