National Quailty Standard for Work Experience

C8 IMC have been awarded the National Quality Standard certificate for work experience, for demonstrating that current practices within the organisation have satisfactorily met the criteria that make the National Quality Standard.

Here at C8 we believe it is vital for education and business to work together to ensure that young people are better prepared with the necessary skills and motivation to get them through the world of work. So over the years C8 has been actively helping and providing work experience placements for secondary school children, who for the first time have ventured out from the classroom into the world of business, as well as degree students who require real life experiences to achieve their degrees.

So when we were asked if we would like to volunteer for the National Quality Standard for work experience, we jumped at the opportunity.

The National Quality Standard is a framework, for employers around the country in developing and reviewing their work experiance provisions for young people. The criteria set out in each section of the framework are based upon current guidance as set by the Department for Education & Skills.

The process of achieving the accreditation begins with a commitment in writing from the owner, manager or board of the company to work towards the quality standard.

Then an initial audit of provision is carried out and an action plan is submitted.

Evidence is then gathered into a portfolio to demonstrate that the employer meets the required standard.

Successful employers are then awarded the Quality Standard which is valid for three years.

We are pleased to learn that we have successfully met all the criteria and where honoured to receive our certificate which now takes pride of place on the office wall.

''We believe work experience is a vital ingredient in the development of young people and is imperative for the UK economy to be at the forefront of innovation and have a skilled work force for the future''

Alam Zeb, Director C8

''The Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation is awarded to those organisations that take the development of our young people seriously. No amount of paperwork guarantees a worthwhile placement but the fact that the policies and procedures are embedded allows the experience to be both structured and measured. Students on work experience develop existing skills and learn new ones in a 'real life' working enviroment. This allows them to appreciate more fully the importance of team working and time management when industry deadlines really matter. C8 have worked hard to get the accreditation and it has been a pleasure for us and the students to work with the C8 team: we thank them and wish them every success in the future.''

Lindsey Johnson, Partnership Officer, EBP