Year in Industry: 'The scheme provides paid, structured, fully supported placements'

Tuesday 03 July 2007 00:00 BST

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Entry requirements

The Year in Industry (YINI) specialises in work placements for all aspects of engineering, science, IT, business and much more, so students need to have an interest in studying these or related subjects.

YINI advises that students aim for good academic grades, should be interested in going to university, and will need to have completed the relevant A-levels for their chosen degree course.

All students applying for a placement have to pass an interview and are also assessed for enthusiasm, commitment and a genuine interest in the scheme and the company placement.

Content

YINI placements generally last 10 to 12 months and start in September to fit with the academic calendar. Students earn competitive salaries. Placements vary depending on the company and the student's requirements. Students are carefully matched with companies throughout the UK and get the opportunity to undertake interesting projects and learn how business works. YINI only places students with people who'll push them in all the right directions, so they get the challenges and support they need.

Assessment

YINI has a standardised application process and a carefully managed matching process to ensure the company and student's requirements are established and met.

Once a placement is organised, the student is employed by the company and must adhere to their terms and conditions. Students receive support from the placement company and YINI provides a mentoring scheme, involving visits to the student at least twice a year on site. YINI also aims to provide free management training to students and provide support throughout the course.

What next?

The Year in Industry provides paid, structured and fully supported work placements from which students gain career and personal development, confirm their career choice and prepare for their degree. It could also lead to employment with the placement company or sponsorship through university, and at the very least it is a chance to gain employment experience relevant to your degree.

By Penny Tysoe, marketing manager for The Year in Industry

Helen Randell spent her Year in Industry placement with Nottingham East Midlands Airport as a projects engineering technician and is now studying engineering at Cambridge University

I decided to have a gap year and apply for a Year in Industry placement to give me an insight into real engineering, before continuing my academic studies at university. I relished the opportunity to work as part of a team - and individually - on a variety of engineering projects, such as the redesign of the terminal building and apron extension.

From the combined experiences of Headstart and the Year in Industry schemes, I became convinced that engineering is a diverse, exciting and challenging career choice that I really want to be part of. The opportunities and contacts I have made through the EDT schemes have been invaluable.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Year in Industry (YINI) has placed more than 13,500 students with companies since the scheme was launched in 1987, providing young, talented people with a wide range of valuable experiences.

WEB WATCH

The Year in Industry

The Year in Industry provides career development work placements for students in a year out before, or during, their degree course

www.yini.org.uk

The Engineering Development Trust (EDT)

The Year In Industry is part of the EDT, an independent charitable trust that encourages young people to think about taking up careers in science, engineering and technology

www.etrust.org.uk

The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE)

The Royal Academy of Engineering's Best Programme is a series of extra-curricular activities to encourage young people's interest in engineering

www.raengbest.org.uk