SaltireFoundation wins National Work Experience Award

Scotland's leading entrepreneurial education programme, the SaltireFoundation (supported by the GlobalScot Network and operated by Scottish Enterprise) has been named as one of the best places to get an internship after becoming an award winner at the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) Awards 2010.

The SaltireFoundation was up against other organisations including the Environment Agency and PricewaterhouseCoopers to win the Highly Commended Award for 'Best Work Experience Provider as Nominated by a Student'. Leading technology company, Lockheed Martin UK went on to be crowned overall winner of the category.

The winners were announced yesterday (23 March 2010) during a ceremony at Merchant Taylors' Hall in London. Gordon McKenzie, director for the office for graduate opportunities for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills presented 23 NCWE Awards across 11 categories, rewarding companies that have demonstrated exceptional work placements.

Irene Johnstone, Executive Director at SaltireFoundation said: "Offering a challenging experience with senior Scottish mentors in prestigious organisations around the world is at the heart of what we do. It's fantastic to have been recognised for our commitment to supporting and nurturing our interns in an unfamiliar environment."

Heather Collier, director of the NCWE comments: "We're now in the seventh year of the awards and their increasing popularity reflects the growing importance of work experience in allowing students to develop skills while providing companies a talent pool for recruitment. It was clear that the SaltireFoundation offers outstanding support to their interns, allowing them to focus on what really matters and gaining an invaluable experience. With more companies competing than ever before, they have done exceptionally well."

The NCWE Awards encourage and reward employers who take the lead in the provision of valuable work placement opportunities for undergraduates; setting high standards for others to follow by offering fulfilling work placements that help students to bridge the gap between education and the world of work. More than 250 companies entered the NCWE Awards 2010.

This year's sponsors include Changeboard, AGR, GlaxoSmithKline and Centrica.

For further information visit www.work-experience.org/awards

Thank you to all of the GlobalScots who have supported the SaltireFoundation by making project opportunities available.