Awards judging process

Our judges met in February to decide upon the winners of the NCWE Awards 2010-11.This was no easy task as with over 250 entries, only 11 could be chosen as winners in their respective categories.

The entry forms of all the finalists were anonymised prior to the judges receiving them to ensure all decisions were impartial.

The judging panel comprised:

• Jane Weir: Director of Careers Service, University of Glasgow 
• Steve Wilkinson: Business Development Manager, Rolls Royce plc
• Rosemary Capper: WBLU Manager, Liverpool John Moores University
• Andrew Prescott: former placement student, Liverpool John Moores University 

How the NCWE Awards were judged

When deciding this year’s Award winners, the judges were looking for commitment and implementation of good practice. Thus they were looking for those employers who put time and effort into helping students develop employability skills, as well as recognising that employing a student could have discernible benefits to their business. With the above in mind shortlisted organisations were judged on the following criteria:

Recruitment and induction

• How thorough are the recruitment and induction processes?
• Does anything stand out as exceptional or lacking?

Placement support

• Consider the variety of student support available. Does anything stand out as exceptional or lacking?

Placement goals and objectives

• The impact/business benefits to the company resulting from the placement.
• Variety of academic/personal development student acquires as a result of the placement.

Student assessment, monitoring and feedback

• How much does end of programme evaluation and feedback effect the development of their placement programme in future years?
• Consider the level and frequency of the organisations assessment, monitoring and feedback mechanisms.
• What makes the work experience placement exceptional and examples?

General placement overview

• What makes the work experience exceptional and examples?

Work Placement Diversity (optional question for additional award)

• Evidence of workforce diversity in their placement policy.