Posted: 25/03/2013
A total of 57 students took part in interviews at KPMG's office in Jersey last week, as part of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Work Shadowing scheme.
The scheme is designed to give Year 12 students useful practical experience, from the application process and interview to on-the-job shadowing of professionals from a broad range of organisations spanning the finance, legal, retail, commercial, construction and public sectors including Health.
During the interviews, the students faced three-person panels consisting of a representative from the IoD, KPMG (the sponsor of the initiative) and Careers Jersey to answer questions on their applications and CVs, career aspirations and knowledge of current affairs. The panel then delivered immediate feedback to the students.
Heidi Gibaut, chair of the IoD's education and training sub-committee, was impressed by the standard of this year's participants.
‘The interviews have gone very well. All of the students were punctual and very well presented; I was impressed by their confidence and ability all round,' said Ms Gibaut.
‘It is my first year doing the scheme and seeing the students in this environment really brings it all to life. We asked some tough questions on local current affairs and got some fantastic answers; the level of knowledge is excellent.
‘The feedback we provide is immediate and focuses on everything from body language and appearance to the content of written applications. This really helps prepare them for the future. This is a safe environment to go through the whole process and a stepping-stone for experiencing professional life.'
Billy Hickling, a sixth form student from Victoria College, was pleased with the outcome of his interview.
‘It was more enjoyable than I thought it would be,' said Mr Hickling. ‘It was daunting at first but I became more relaxed as the interview went on. The feedback was useful, a mix of positive and constructive, and I was given an information leaflet and a template covering letter.
‘I'm hoping to get a placement in the finance industry, but any chance to shadow a director of a firm will be a really valuable opportunity.'
Following the interviews, the students are scored on each area: presentation, grammar, spelling and content is assessed across the written material and communication skills, resourcefulness, understanding of local industry and career aspirations evaluated during the interview. By Easter, the students will be paired with one of the participating local businesses, where they will undertake the weeklong shadowing period.
Sue Walsh of Careers Jersey said:
‘It is a fantastic scheme and the most comprehensive work experience initiative available, covering everything from the application process, through to the interview and the work shadowing itself. Getting such valuable feedback from professionals is a unique opportunity.
‘The professionals involved in the interviewing have all had a great time and benefitted from the scheme themselves.'
Jason Laity, managing director of KPMG in the Channel Islands and chair of the Institute of Directors, was impressed by this year's intake of students.
‘Once again we have seen a remarkably high standard of candidates and the feedback from students and our senior management team was extremely positive. Our staff involved have found it to be a hugely beneficial experience and we are proud to provide a professional setting to bolster the realism of the students' experience,' he said.
The work shadowing placements will run throughout the year culminating at an awards ceremony in November. Students are required to write reports on their experiences and the winning and highly commended of those (judged by the IoD committee) will attend the annual IoD Debate in London this coming September.
Pictured (left to right): Jeremy Field, Careers Jersey; Nikki Fryer, KPMG; and Clive Barton, IoD