NOVUS companies and University of Huddersfield staff have been busy matching second year students with opportunities for their sandwich placements starting this summer.

Uniquely, students on the NOVUS scheme are guaranteed a salaried third year placement with a NOVUS company – it is just a case of who goes where.  They typically spend a full year with a company gaining valuable experience in a range of different roles.

To start the matching process, companies attended a placement fair at the university in January to present opportunities to the students and held informal discussions.  There have since been a series of meetings between companies and students with offers starting to roll in.  So far, placements have been agreed for students at DHL, Wincanton, Clipper, Cummins, Brakes, Arla, ASOS, Hoyer and PZ Cussons with many more to follow.

Student Ellie Langdon, who has secured a placement with ASOS, commented: 'I’m really excited – I’ve got an amazing placement looking at inbound supply and I get to join the ASOS team at their head office in central London.'

Meanwhile, Rachel Pearson will be joining DHL said: ‘It’s a brilliant placement working for the biggest logistics company in the world!  I’m looking forward to learning a huge amount over the coming year.'

Mark Keresztes, currently on placement, has enjoyed a great year with Arla. 'It’s a chance to put the theory you learn at University in to practice,' said Mark. 'I have worked with so many great people and gained experience that will really prepare me for the final year at University and my future career.'

Following success with 12 month placements, attention now turns to finding summer work experience for first year students – again part of the NOVUS scheme and rarely offered by university courses. 

'Work experience is a very valuable part of the programme,' said David Leach, NOVUS Programme Director. 'It helps students’ grow as individuals, builds their practical knowledge of the subject and gives them a context within which to explore their studies.'

For further information on the NOVUS scheme, email David Leach, NOVUS Programme Director at: novus@hud.ac.uk