The GCHQ Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) has been shortlisted for an award by the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE).
The NCWE Work Experience Awards are designed to acknowledge and reward employers whose internships have made a real impact to both the student and the business. They recognise businesses from all sectors and sizes that provide exceptional student and graduate internships. They are now in their ninth year and it was a record year for entries – a 50% increase on 2011 with more than 300 entries.
The GCHQ SSS scheme (formerly called the Sponsored Undergraduate Technologist Scheme) was established in 2005. The aim is to attract and retain technologists to GCHQ with a real technical interest and focus. They are recruited onto the scheme from University for one or two summer placements or an industrial year placement.
During their time in GCHQ they are given the opportunity to work in technical areas across the department and do project work that benefits both the organisation and the student’s personal and academic development. The GCHQ SSS scheme has seen over 200 students pass through, a substantial number of which are now working as permanent employees in the Department
GCHQ will compete against five other businesses for the Best Public Sector Internship title. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 20 March at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London by Dr Paul Redmond, one of the UK’s leading experts on graduate employability, from The University of Liverpool.
A spokesman for GCHQ says: "It is extremely pleasing that once again our Student Sponsorship Scheme has been shortlisted. The Summer and Industrial strands of our placement scheme are designed to be mutually beneficial. They allow students to gain an insight into the work we do, whilst we benefit from their enthusiasm and willingness to learn new skills. The blend of learning, whilst actively contributing, in an exciting and challenging environment, has proved to be a winning formula for all concerned."
Notes to Editors:
1. The five others shortlisted with GCHQ for the Best Public Sector Internship award are:
- The Alchemy Exchange at Sheffield Hallam University
- Careers and Employability Centre, University of Birmingham
- Civil Service Fast Stream
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Essex
2. For more information about the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) Awards please visit: www.work-experience.org/awards
3. For more information about student and graduate jobs at GCHQ please visit:
http://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/Students-and-graduates/
4. For more information about GCHQ please visit:
http://www.gchq.gov.uk/
For more information about this press release please contact the GCHQ Press Office:
Pressoffice@gchq.gsi.gov.uk
01242 221491 Ext 33847