An undergraduate scheme provided by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has been recognised as one of the best in the country.
The placement scheme at the BCP Council owned and operated Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre came sixth out of 60 organisations in the National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards’ ‘Top Medium-sized Undergraduate Schemes’ category, beating some well-known brands.
These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of employers, agencies, students and universities in undergraduate work experience across the UK and are voted on by the placement students themselves.
The work experience at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre provides students with a range of work placement experiences, such as providing information to visitors, helping the rangers with habitat surveys, wildlife monitoring and events.
During the recent Covid restrictions, a virtual conservation work placement has instead been in place.
Commenting, BCP Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleanliness and Waste, Councillor Mark Anderson said: “We are enormously proud of this achievement. The NUE Awards showcase the passion, innovation and dedication of teams managing undergraduate workplace schemes.
“I would personally like to thank the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre team for putting us amongst the UK’s leading organisations in this regard.
“We are committed to providing our young people with a nurturing environment, high-quality education and great opportunities to grow and flourish, but this has to start with our own organisation. This achievement shows that we are doing just that.”