Learning chemistry through placements: building on good practice and identifying new opportunities > Progress updates

Progress updates

Progress was reported throughout the project. For the complete final report of the project see here.

Update 1: September 2011

The Faculty of Science and Technology University of Plymouth database of existing company contacts was reviewed. Further, potentially suitable companies/contacts were identified and the database was updated. Internal resources were approached for contacts in order to boost coverage and prevent overlap.

Contact was made, by email, with those companies that were previously identified through the chemistry pilot project as being interested in hosting placement students (n=3). Additional contacts identified through other mediums (Careers, colleague contacts, University of Plymouth alumni, etc.) were also approached (n=4). Of the seven (7) organisations contacted, two (2) stated that they were no longer interested in hosting students either on a short-term basis or at all; citing company size and current economics making it not viable for their organisations at the current time. One (1) organisation has, so far, not responded to any contact. Meetings were arranged with the remaining four (4) companies and the key points of interest were discussed. The four (4) companies committed to providing placements for the forthcoming academic year which is seen as a positive spin-off of the current project. All discussions were documented appropriately.

In addition, a number of non-traditional chemistry employers have been contacted by email and at least eight (8) have indicated an interest in discussing the project further.

Update Report 2: December 2011

As of 1 December 2011, 130 companies have been contacted and of those 24 companies have expressed an interest in taking chemistry students for summer placements (18%). Traditional chemistry employers demonstrated the greatest interest (45%) and engineering the least (2%). What is particularly encouraging, at this stage, is the number of non-traditional chemistry employers who have expressed an interest in taking chemistry students on short-term placement (13%). From December onwards, there will continue to be a focus on non-traditional employers and more chemistry employers will be contacted, working with the RSC for further contact points.

Update Report 2 December 2011

Update Report 3: March 2012

Since 14th December 2011, an additional 52 companies were identified through internal and external databases (including the RSC database) and personal contacts. The additional companies were initially contacted by email and followed up by telephone and / or met in person.

Of the additional 52 companies contacted, 18 responded (35%) and 34 did not (65%). 8 out of the 18 companies who responded, agreed to take on chemistry students for short-term placements (15%), and 10 responded negatively (20%). 7 telephone interviews and 3 company visits were carried out and the remaining responses were provided by email (8).

The additional companies were mainly traditional chemistry employers from the food manufacturing, analytical laboratory, pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental and geosurvey industries and therefore most likely to indicate an interest in taking on chemistry students; however, only the public sector (1; 2%), laboratories (2; 4%), pharmaceutical (2; 4%) and food industries (3; 6%) responded positively.

The main reasons cited for companies taking on students remains as identified in the previous update report (Dated 14th December 2011). The main reasons cited by the remaining sector companies for not taking chemistry students is that they are too busy; do not have capacity for taking on chemistry students at the current time; or that the focus of their business is not suitable for chemistry students (in particular the environmental and geosurvey companies).

The design and development of the support resource for HEIs, students and employers has been initiated and will be completed once a full analysis of the data has been carried out.

Points raised following review of the December 2011 update report have resulted in changes to the proposed project, in terms of discussing student experience of the placement process and how work based learning is promoted within the chemistry programme. This work is ongoing.

Staff involved

Prof Simon Belt
Project lead, Plymouth University

Liz Vincent
Project coordinator, Plymouth University

Christine Keenan
Bournemouth University

Penny Mitchell
Bournemouth University