Employers Needed for Institute of Directors Workshadow Scheme

James Qualtrough | March 5, 2013 | 0 Comments

Employers are being asked to put themselves and their organisations forward to take part in this year’s Institute of Directors Workshadow Scheme.

The scheme, which gives Jersey’s A-level students the opportunity to experience life at the helm of a business or public sector organisation, plays a key role in helping young islanders prepare for their upcoming careers.

The Institute of Directors organises the scheme in conjunction with Careers Jersey and it is currently sponsored by KPMG Channel Islands Limited, who also sponsor the equivalent scheme in Guernsey. Over the past few years, the scheme has proved to be a great success for both employers and the students who take part. Last year, the IoD received over 80 applications and more than 60 students succeeded in their interviews and were given a place on the scheme.

Employers who choose to take part are asked to identify a week sometime between May and the end of August when the student will be able to ‘shadow’ a director or senior manager. During the week, the employer is not expected to find any work for the student to do, instead, the student shadows them, engages in meetings and is helped to understand the work that the director or senior manager is undertaking.

Students are matched with employers once they have passed a rigorous interview process which is similar to the type of interview they can expect to face when they apply for employment once they have finished their studies.

After they have spent a week shadowing, the student is expected to complete a report on their experiences and a winner is selected from those submitted, and a prize awarded at an evening event later in the year.

Last year’s winner, Emma Gallichan, said that she found the scheme had given her a significant insight into the wider world and what is expected of students in the future.

“Having my Curriculum Vitae constructively criticized was very helpful and the interview process was invaluable. I feel very privileged to have been a part of the IoD Work Shadow Scheme,” she said.

Jason Laity, Chairman of IoD Jersey (and Managing Director of KPMG Channel Islands Limited) is keen for as many employers as possible to become involved in this year’s scheme:

“The IoD Workshadow Scheme provides a great benefit to those students who take part and gives them an invaluable insight both into the work that senior management undertakes and also the standards that will be expected of them when they apply for positions in Jersey-based organisations. Whilst we recognise that it is a significant investment of senior leadership time in the current economic climate, I urge all employers to try and take part as the scheme really does help young islanders to be better prepared for the workplace at a time when we, as employers, are demanding more from candidates than ever before.”

Companies and employers wishing to take part in the scheme should email Kirsten Higgins, at jedirector@localdial.com or the Chair of this year’s Organising Committee, Heidi Gibaut, heidi.gibaut@lawatworkci.com.