The hunt is on for the UKís top undergraduates

TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards open for entries
Eight award categories supported by leading graduate recruiters

Event shows demand still out there for talented graduates despite downturn

Students can enter at www.undergraduateoftheyear.com

The TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards have opened for entries, with eight categories to recognise the most talented students in a range of subject areas. Each award category is being run in association with a top graduate recruiter in that sector and the initial assessment of students will be carried out by SHL, the leader in talent assessment solutions. Prizes range from cash to internships and even trips to far-flung locations including Australia, Florida, New York and Brussels.

The Undergraduate of the Year Award categories are:
Engineering, in association with npower
Law, in association with Mayer Brown
Accountancy & Economics, in association with KPMG
Systems & Electronics, in association with Thales
Civil Engineering & the Built Environment, in association with Laing OíRourke
Business & Finance, in association with Morgan Stanley
IT & Computer Science, in association with the NHS
First Year of the Year, in association with Ernst & Young
At a time when graduate unemployment is at its highest for 12 years, the award scheme is a welcome boost for students, showing that many graduate employers are still on the hunt for top talent.

Chris Phillips, publishing director at Group GTI, the largest graduate careers information business in Europe and organisers of the TARGETjobs Awards, explains: ìThis is a fantastic opportunity for undergraduates to get noticed by some of the leading graduate recruiters and biggest brands in their field. While the current job market is looking bleak, there is always demand for the brightest young people and top students are the leaders of the future. With a recognised finalist or winning tag undergraduates will be head and shoulders above the competition when it comes to applying for jobs.î

Winning students will need to pass a rigorous three stage selection process which will include bespoke online ability and competency tests devised by awards partner and leading talent assessment solutions provider, SHL. In addition there will be a mix of telephone interviews, assessment centres and scenario-based exercises to help create a ten-strong short-list in each category.

Winners of all competitions will be announced at the special awards event at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf on 16 April 2010.

For further information and to enter the awards go to: