The AGCAS Awards of Excellence for the UK and Ireland aim to encourage, reward and share good practice amongst HE careers professionals and graduate recruiters working with HE careers services.

The shortlisted project involved a statistical research study investigating whether there was a relationship between engineering students undertaking a placement and improved academic performance.  The study found that on average, attainment in the group of students who had undertaken placements, were higher than non-placement participants.  The research outcomes are now being used to promote placements to current students. 
 
Richard Mendez, Work Related Learning Manager from SSDS said 'The evidence gained from the research is a useful tool in convincing students to consider undertaking a placement year and illustrates that a placement year can do more than enhance a student's employability'.
 
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday 14 September.
 
A report on the research is now available.