We have had a very positive experience with the work placement program… The calibre of the students from Queens is exceptionally high, and we consistently encounter enthusiastic, diligent, and professional placement students. They bring with them the excellent knowledge and experience they have acquired at the university.

We are now in our sixth year of hosting students from Queen's University. Additionally, with the guidance of the Work Placement Consultant, we've had the privilege of presenting to Year 1 and Year 2 Biological Science students, offering insights into Regulatory Affairs and illustrating how their course skills and knowledge are applicable in our industry.  This initiative has significantly boosted the number of applicants for both our student placement and graduate roles.

Over the last few years we have hosted three Queen’s students on our animal care/veterinary internships, for a period of 3-9 months. Being involved with the work placement programme with Queen’s has been extremely positive. We have always received very clear communication from Queen’s, and the programme is organized well for both students and facilitators. All students we have hosted have been dedicated, hardworking and knowledgeable. They have worked effectively as part of the zoo team, showing willingness to learn and develop new skills.

Hosting Queen's students has enhanced our reputation as a company committed to education and professional development of our next generation for not only the benefit of the New Zealand dairy industry while here but also the industry back in Ireland when students return with international experience. Hosting Queen's students also provides us with access to a pool of talented young farmers who may become future employees in New Zealand or ambassadors for our company.

Whether it is interns, placement students or graduates, we have been impressed by both the QUB students strong knowledge of the food industry issues but also by their workplace readiness skills. Our strong partnership and alignment will mean QUB students will continue to be strong part of M&S Food Technology recruitment for many years to come.

Almac Group is delighted to support students take their first step on the career ladder through our 12 month placement programme. It is rewarding to see our placement students grow in confidence as they develop their knowledge and skills whilst also making a valuable contribution to our mission to Advance Human Health. Students who complete an industrial placement have a competitive edge by gaining practical and professional work experience in their chosen field upon graduation. At Almac, an industrial
placement gives students an opportunity to work in an innovative, dynamic environment and, with expert mentorship and training, to learn best practice in a global, world-leading pharmaceutical organisation. It’s the perfect way to further develop technical skills and accelerate their career path to fulfil their potential

It has been such a pleasure to welcome students into the Living Seas team and see them settle in with our staff and volunteers so quickly. By the end of the placement they are confident and experienced at running events, public speaking and producing communication resources. The placement also gives them the chance to put their course knowledge into practice, recording species data and running ID workshops around our coast.

The year-long placements we have taken on over the last 10 years have been really positive overall with a high proportion taking up positions within the business on completion of their studies. Reasons why students should undertake work experience is to gain invaluable experience in a commercial environment, even if the student does not end up working for the company where the placement took place the experience can be conveyed in an job interview to give depth to the candidates experiences and demonstrate an understanding of working in a fast paced commercial environment.

The ISPCA was delighted to host a student from QUB MSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare course for 12 weeks work placement [in 2017]. The placement allowed the ISPCA
to carry out work which otherwise would not have been achievable due to limited resources. The student gathered data on two projects, providing much need information for
the ISPCA which has since been used in policy development and lobbying for better protection for animals. The placement was a great benefit to the ISPCA and to the student. In a very competitive job market, students need more than just letters after their name and this programme gives them the opportunity to gain vital workplace
experience as part of a team and on a worthwhile project

RPS involvement in work placements has always been a positive one and we continue to be enlightened by the up to date educational knowledge of the students and their willingness to learn new practical skills in a busy workplace. For RPS the benefits are two fold in that we not only gain additional resources for the programme period to help deliver our busy workload but also graduating students are more workplace ready to fill any future vacancies we may have. In fact, over the years RPS have employed a number of graduates who benefitted from the placement programme and were able to fit in quickly to our consultancy working environment. Nothing beats practical work experience. Students gain a comprehensive experience of what it takes to be an environmental consultant and if it is the career for them. Students working at RPS have an opportunity to gain experience in a broad range of environmental fields such as noise, air quality & climate and ecology and therefore can identify if there is a particular career path they would like to follow

Seal Rescue Ireland has received quality interns from QUB’s work placement programme. We are happy to continue working with QUB and accepting applications from their students. Work experience is essential. Employers want to see applicants with real world, hands on experience working as part of a team, alongside a relevant degree. It is also beneficial to learn and improve upon a variety of different skills. Interns at Seal Rescue Ireland don’t only learn the technical skills of marine mammal care; they also become a dynamic member of the team by practicing skills in leadership, organisation, customer service, public speaking, administrative, and fundraising, all of which can be applied to a wide variety of different workplaces

AbbVie is delighted to partner with Queen’s University on their Work Placement Programme. Our company has a strong tradition of developing the next generation of employees through our graduate programmes. AbbVie provides a dynamic and well-constructed programme which not only provides interns with challenging, assignments but also a personal and professional development curriculum. AbbVie’s intern programme is more than just a learning experience for the intern—it helps us to recruit and retain the strongest talent who may become leaders for Operations in the future.

We are particularly proud to work with Queen’s University. We have found the students coming to us through this programme, to be enthusiastic, motivated and work to a high standard. Through the help of placement students, we have been able to tackle projects and develop initiatives that we would not have ordinarily had the resources to
do. Work experience gives employers confidence that a student can cope with the wide range of workplace activities. The experience is also vital for students to gain hands-on working knowledge of workplace environments, making contacts and developing learnt skills and knowledge

Students in the laboratory are fully trained in procedures which is an asset to securing future employment. We have recruited students after placement on this basis. This benefits the laboratory by employing staff with more confidence and knowledge of a commercial working environment and less training required in laboratory techniques.
Work placement is an opportunity for students to experience the highs and lows of a full time job. 

• To learn the different aspects of working in industry, both technical lab skills and assist in R&D of new test procedures
• To be acquainted with the importance of implementing Health and Safety in all aspects of laboratory testing and general staff safety
• To increase their confidence when they undertake full time employment 
• Exposure to strict quality management in a commercial laboratory

The quiet enthusiasm and dedication that the Sustainability Student displayed during placement helped us to complete vital tasks. We were so impressed that we have kept the student on as Assistant Practitioner providing a key role in supporting the whole team and our objectives.