By committing to an industrial placement, employers can identify suitable candidates for future employment, reduce recruitment costs whilst improving the skills of the candidate for their particular work environment. Placements offer the employer a real opportunity to assess the candidate on their commitment and enthusiasm for the role, their wider employability including team building and leadership, project management and communication skills, but also technical competence, and the business skills that will be required to operate in your company.

This is a real chance to decide whether you are willing to invest in the future of this candidate and your company.

In addition, employers can build relationships with education partners, develop research programmes and potentially access a wide range of further public funding opportunities.

“The value of industrial placements extends beyond practically benefiting individual students and companies; placements serve as a valuable connection between industry and academia.”  The changing shape of academic collaborations, ABPI, August 2010  

For the student, a good placement can provide a great opportunity to see what it's like to work as a scientist. It can also give you an insight into how your degree can be applied to solve problems and meet demands in industry.  Finding a suitable placement can be difficult but companies and universities look very highly on students who have the enthusiasm and independence to hunt for a relevant position.

Click here to view the Student and Host Perspective presentation.