When Glen Patterson of Custom Enterprises, an accountancy and bookkeeping firm in Hinckley, took on an intern from De Montfort University they could never have expected the outcome. The intern, 22yr old Claire Smith from Birstall, set up the company quality procedures that not only secured the company the ISO 9001:2008 quality mark but also led them to the finals of the Hinckley Business Association (HBA) Awards 2009.
The graduate internship scheme run by De Montfort University, funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, enables companies to benefit from the skills and experience of a recent graduate for a three to six-month placement. There is a cost to the company but at just £100 per week it is exceptional value for the contribution of such skilled and enthusiastic individuals.
As a result of Claire’s contribution to the firm, Custom Enterprises were finalists and highly commended in the Employer Award category of Hinckley Business Association Awards 2009 but were just piped to the post by the winners, the local secure cheque and credit document printing company Checkprint Ltd.
Glen Patterson, managing director of Custom Enterprises, said “the De Montfort scheme is excellent and I would highly recommend it to any local business. Claire has done a terrific job for us and has proved herself to be of such value to our company that we have found her a permanent post in the firm”.
Claire is just one of 24 interns taking part in the De Montfort scheme, which are placed at companies across Leicestershire. Claire says “The internships are a great way to add real company-based experience to your CV following your studies, the fact that for me it has also led to a job is absolutely marvellous”. The scheme will run until at least September 2010 and the aim is to place about 50 graduates who have not managed to find jobs.
If you think that your company could benefit from this scheme then contact Lisa Naik, De Montfort's graduate internships project manager, on 0116 257 7599. Alternatively, CLICK here to visit their website.
