Liz Nash, Placement Co-ordinator explains, “The ITWales placements specialise in technical skills, and during 2011 we’ve placed students with a range of employers to take on a variety of technical tasks from graphic design to web development or software development.”

GOWales report that 65% of graduates placed in 2011 went on to gain employment from their host organisation.

One such student is Alice Walker, a Graphic Communication graduate from UWIC, placed by ITWales with The Constant Media Ltd. to create new product graphics and web design layouts.

Alice explains, “For my placement, I was taken on as Graphic Designer and Project Manager.  To do this I had to work directly with clients to develop the brief and liaise with them throughout the project to ensure that the brief was met and the project completed to their satisfaction.

“For me, the highlight was definitely the opportunity to talk directly to the clients, and then see an idea of mine develop and flourish into a functioning online shop.  The placement enabled me to really get hands on with the company and demonstrated that this was the right career for me.”

Liz Nash summarises the benefits of the placement scheme for employers, “Through the placement scheme, employers have the choice of high quality IT and computing students and graduates with the latest specialist skills to complete a ten week project that the company may not have had the time, expertise or resources to complete.  A placement provides employers with the ability to implement a new innovation quickly and easily, and we provide a wage subsidy making this a highly cost effective option.”

Many companies view the placement scheme as a recruitment service, and this is what happened in the case of Alice Walker.  She explains, “The placement had a very positive effect on my employment – without it I wouldn’t have the job I have now.  The Constant Media Ltd. employed me after the conclusion of the placement, and I’ve recently received a promotion.  I couldn’t be happier with the way things turned out – I feel really settled as part of a good working team within a great company.”

Despite the tough economic climate, the technology sector is one that continues to grow and provide placement opportunities for students and graduates.  Liz Nash explains, “IT placements are incredibly popular, and last year we advertised 50 placement opportunities in South Wales, garnering some 727 applications.
“Competition is strong, but we continue to focus on software development in all its forms, looking for students and graduates with the appropriate skills, expertise and enthusiasm for a range of roles including programmer, web application developer, database developer and systems tester.”

An integral part of the ITWales placement is the completion of the City & Guilds Level 4 Professional Development Award, an accredited and professionally recognised qualification which recognises the knowledge and skills the student has gained through their work experience, and demonstrating their development to future employers.

Alice Walker completed the Professional Development Award whilst on placement.  She says, “I really enjoyed reading back my reflective logs at the end of my placement as it’s so easy to forget what can be achieved in those first few weeks.  At times, I found it hard to juggle the Award and work, but it gives you a great insight into the world of work and is definitely something I’m glad to have achieved.”

During 2012, ITWales will continue to work on student employability, working closely with companies to develop projects that will provide useful work experience for the graduate CV, and the possibility of a full time job.

Alice concludes, “I learnt a huge amount during my ten week placement and my working pace has increased dramatically.  I try and encourage other students and graduates to take part in this scheme, because the experience gained is invaluable, and I was fortunate enough to end up with a great job!”

To find out more about the ITWales placement scheme visit www.itwales.com/placements, email placements@itwales.com or contact Liz on 01792 606658, or Karen on 01792 606660