Centrica wins top prize at NCWE awards

At the 2009 National Council for Work Experience Awards, held at London's Merchant Taylors' Hall on Thursday 5^th March, Centrica beat off the challenge of more than 200 organisations to take the overall title of Best Work Placement Provider.

Introducing himself as the ‘amuse-bouche' before the main course, Mike Hill - chief executive of HECSU and Graduate Prospects (which now owns NCWE) - welcomed guests to the packed awards event, which had succeeded in attracting a record number of entries in this, its sixth year.

Before the main business got under way Mike Sully - a final-year undergraduate at Leeds and Shell Step Finalist 2008 - contributed a brief ‘student perspective' underlining how "hugely beneficial" his placement had been in terms of boosting his own employability. 

The awards were presented by broadcaster and academic Laurie Taylor, whose typically entertaining speech emphasised the importance and value of work experience in today's world, especially in the area of interpersonal communications.

The best work experience category winners were: nominated by careers adviser/placement tutor: Rostons; nominated by student: CEI Collins Engineers; international students studying in UK (new for 2009): px; new scheme: Tri-Synergy; charitable sector: MERU; public sector: FSA; <10 employees: Madventurer; 10-250 employees: px; short-term placements: Centrica; long-term placements (<20 students): Lockheed Martin; long-term placements (20+ students): Microsoft.

Commenting on the overall winner, NCWE director Heather Collier said "Centrica's nomination demonstrated what a top-quality scheme should look like.  With personal development, fun, quality and variety all part of the mix, it was a winning combination.  Centrica is a shining example and model of best practice for others to follow."

Centrica senior graduate recruitment manager Yvonne Crew responded "We are thrilled to have won and been recognised for our commitment to providing quality experiences for our students.  Our placement scheme has grown over the last three years and we will continue to develop and expend the programme.  We hope that it will support us in our mission to attract and recruit some of the best young talent around."