An international graduate joined a 6 month work experience programme in the human resources department of a London based insurance firm

Our international candidates have gone into a variety of roles. For example, Nisha, one of our international graduates, has successfully completed her 6 month work experience programme with a renowned insurance firm in the City of London.

Outcome:

Nisha got involved with every aspect of human resources operational and management tasks. For example, she has learnt the European Employment Law relevant to the company, daily operation tasks including preparing documentation i.e. PAYE form, employee contracts, calculation on employee hours, employee performance documentation etc. Nisha also gained invaluable skills in recruitment, disciplinary hearing procedures and restructuring of a new salary package for staff members. In addition, she has picked up many skills that are invaluable for her future career.

Zahir (Postgraduate Diploma Student) from a Further Education College in London joined an internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the City of London

Zahir had a great time with PwC, being involved in a project of managing and optimising infrastructure resources. He has been given a number of responsibilities including creating presentations for the firm's branding policy and collating and preparing data for a new software system rollout.

Outcome:

Zahir has developed additional MS Office skills and he has gained valuable knowledge of floorplans and office planning. Through his work experience in dealing with different levels of management staff he has gained invaluable transferable skills for his future career.

Hospitality student Svitlana joined a management training programme with the Renaissance Hotel in London

Svitlana was an international student gaining practical training at the Renaissance Hotel where she had the opportunity to gain front office management experience through shadowing her immediate programme manager. Her tasks included monitoring efficient productivity of staff, time table and leave planning and delegating staff members. She was further mentored to oversee the Front Office Check-in/check-out and required to identify and resolve any occurring problems related to standards and procedures.

Outcome:

Svitlana has developed competencies of overseeing the front office reservations and reception through self-management, problem solving and decision making. During the programme she has gained valuable experience of handling difficult front office situations and people.

A Further education College (government funded college) in the UK based in London

Requirement: We were requested to set up a work experience placement scheme that would complement students' studies in business management at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

We set up a scheme to manage the expectations and placements of over several hundred overseas students each year in batches to comply with UKBA rules under tier 4. This involved arranging an initial workshop to manage the expectations of students, arranging assessments of students' expectations and skills, assisting them with their practical training; helping students prepare before going on training, handling contracts, helping students settle into their roles and monitoring progress and attendance.

The close working relationship with the college also involved designing a student handbook that covers rules and regulations. We also ran career days and insights into the UK working practices. When students arrived at their placement, we visited the students on placements to complete assessment forms.

To make a success of the scheme, the college and GEM have regular strategic reviews to manage the programme and innovate.

A well known Tier 4 Highly Trusted Sponsored language school approached us to "uplift" their quality of placements on their work skills courses. We were able to exceed their expectations by arranging in less than 1 week the placements at famous branded hotels. The school also engaged us to look after the accommodation and attendance monitoring of students on placements. We monitor the student attendance every 2 weeks in line with UKBA rules. The school's marketing department works with us on planning the product offering and strategically we are looking at launching new products together.

We have worked with a range of international colleges and Universities including a number of Universities and Colleges in Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

We helped in a variety of ways for existing candidates on courses to come to the UK and Middle East for 3 months-12 months as part of their course. We managed the whole process from start to end and provided a package of support through immigration advisors.

International agents we have met through educational workshops and fairs have worked with us to develop and manage candidate's needs. We work with educational agencies to configure arrangements so that candidates can participate in work experience programmes in different countries.

Agencies facilitate and assist with local colleges and Universities abroad to work with us on practical training for their students.

Agents in South America for example have liaised with us for assisting their local students in gaining work experience in the UK and the Maldives.

In Spain agents have sent us candidates looking for business experience in the UK. We have been able to find the educational programmes that best match candidate needs.