Council for Work Experience welcomes report on preparing graduates

The National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) has welcomed the CBI/Universities UK report, ëFuture Fit: Preparing graduates for the world of workí and urges businesses to pursue quality and avoid potential exploitation despite the recession.

Director of the NCWE, Heather Collier said: ìThe report reinforces the message that now, more than ever students require key competencies or employability skills to make an impact in the shrinking jobs market. As ever, there is always more that can be done by the key stakeholders, to work together to deliver well prepared graduates that are ëfit for the futureí and can contribute to bringing companies successfully through the recession. The report also highlights some of the fantastic examples of where employers and universities are getting it right and includes models that others could, and should emulate.

ìWe particularly welcomed this renewed encouragement for employers to offer work placements which benefit both the student and the business, but in light of the recession, best practice and the quality of placements should not be overlooked.

ìIn some cases, the economic downturn has made students more attractive than ever to businesses looking for cost-effective and flexible recruitment. However, we must not lose sight of best practice and avoid potential exploitation. Students can often be viewed, and used by organisations, as free or cheap labour. During the current climate, we are also seeing more students feeling obliged to work for nothing.

ìWe are pleased to see the CBI and UUK placing work experience so firmly on the business agenda, and strongly support the premise that there is no better time for students to seek opportunities to widen their skill set. By doing so they become more employable and have a better chance of beating the recession in their job search.î

Further information for businesses can be found through the following organisations:

ï Businesses can find help and advice on implementing a scheme, applying for the work experience kite mark and entering the annual NCWE awards at www.work-experience.org
ï Placements providers can advertise their work placement vacancies to students at www.prospects.ac.uk

Further information for students can be found through the following organisations:

ï For students seeking quality work experience providers they can get details of the NCWEís annual award winners and a list of companies who have gained the NCWEís Quality Mark at www.work-experience.org
ï Students can find current work placement opportunities at www.prospects.ac.uk.