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e-skills internship
The e-skills internship is a unique programme which will boost the employability of graduates.
In 1998 approximately 30% of IT graduates had taken some form of placement as part of their degree. By 2004 that number had dropped to 20% and has continued to fall since, particularly in the last 18 months. During the recession there has been an increase in the number of placements available, but the continued fall in take-up has led to many positions remaining unfilled.
The e-skills internship is about reversing this trend and raising participation to 50% within 5 years.
Find out more below or go to:
You may also download the brochure:
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e-skills internship brochure (PDF - 2MB)
A need for 'business ready' skills
Recent research on the extent to which IT graduates are prepared for work in a business environment reveals that while employers are very satisfied with the technical competence of new graduates, there is a need for graduates to demonstrate stronger business, communication and interpersonal skills.
Evidence from employers and universities indicates that one of the best ways of developing these 'business-ready' skills is through professional placements, or internships.
The e-skills internship
The e-skills internship is an industry-backed student placement programme designed to boost the employability of graduates.
The programme builds on best practice in student placements. Students participate in a period of employment within an organisation – usually for a year – during which they develop a rich blend of business, interpersonal and technical skills.
Students undertaking e-skills internships will develop a set of skills and capabilities that are widely valued by employers across the IT sector, and which will help them perform better in their university studies.
Through the e-skills internship, employers can offer high quality placements more easily, benefiting from a cost-effective boost to resources along with the capability and enthusiasm students can bring to a business.
Universities can incorporate or build on their existing placement programmes, attracting more students as a result of the sector-wide support of employers to this scheme.
Input from the pilot has helped us to shape the scheme and make sure it best meets the needs of employers, universities and students.
The Pilot – Academic Year 2010-11
The pilot programme for the e-skills internship has been running for the academic year 2009-2010. We will be launching the full programme in late 2010. Initially planned for 200 students working with 5 employers and 5 universities, the pilot attracted over 250 employers, and over 30 universities.
The pilot has led to refinement of the Best Practices and Skills Targets (PDF 312KB), Monthly Work Summary (PDF 87KB) and Final Report (PDF 86KB).
If a student's line manager and university tutor consider the student to have successfully worked through their placement then he or she is awarded the employer-endorsed certificate.
Scheme registration - students
If you wish to participate in the scheme and have a placement confirmed, then please register to participate.
Last modified: 18 Aug 2010
Intern of the Year
Congratulations to David Couch who won this award sponsored by GSK. David was nominated by his employer Intel. More about the e-skills intern of the year award. (PDF 85KB)
Internship of the Year
Congratulations to National Grid who won this award. National Grid was nominated by its intern Adam Wood. Adam received the award, sponsored by GSK. More about the internship of the year award. (PDF 85KB)
Employer involvement
The Internship Programme now involves almost 200 employers, large and small. It was initially designed with the help of the following:
- British Airways
- CA
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Goss Interactive
- IBM
- Kinetic Solutions
- Land Registry
- Netready
- Network Rail
- P&G
- RateMyPlacement
- Syngenta
University involvement
The Internship Programme now involves over 30 universities across the country. It was initially designed with the help of the following:
- Bournemouth University
- City University London
- Coventry University
- De Montfort University
- Loughborough University
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Staffordshire University
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Exeter
- University of Greenwich
- University of Kent
- University of Plymouth
- University of Portsmouth
- University of Wolverhampton