Why not invite a student to join your team for a week work experience. It could be much easier than you think. Through our work with young people we have been surprised at their grasp of business issues and thirst for knowledge. Gone are the days of filing and photocopying for a week, young people are looking to get actively engaged in real business issues.
When the learning and development department at UCLH asked Procurement Director Pia Larsen if she’d take on a work experience placement she jumped at the chance. “I’m very much a say yes and find a way to make it work person so I was quick to take this opportunity. I’m also very passionate about promoting procurement and already support a local university.”
University College London Hospitals (UCLH) is an NHS foundation trust based in London with a procurement team of approx. 25. During the last year they have had six students, along with two interns from a Dutch Logistics School for a longer term placement.
“This was a great opportunity to give young people an insight into our business, how we work internally with other departments and where procurement fits into the organisation.” said Pia.
ULCH had the students taking calls for requisitions for surgical gloves, scalpels etc on the first day, seeing how these items are managed in the stores department, through to observing the items being used in a live surgical procedure on their final day.
“We wanted the students to understand that procurement is an integral part of running the trust, and what we do help to support the delivery of patient care.
“It was initially hard work to set up this initiative up, but now we have a programme it is much easier. At the end of the week it is nice to have positive feedback from the students on what they get out of their week with us. We get to understand what young people can contribute, despite having a lack of knowledge when they start, but by the end of this week we find what they have learnt about procurement and its importance within the organisation.”
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"The feedback from the students has been great so far. One student said “My work experience with the UCLH procurement department was amazing. For me personally, the team has made procurement a possible job / career I would love to do. I learnt many things during my very short seeming week. I had done challenging things like calling people up for requisition details and answering calls, the way I had to speak on the phone, to find a solution to problems fast and efficiently and to keep a record of the correct and valid information on the program set up in the procurement department. I met staff who I call friends due to their understanding and kindness throughout the week not only did I learn a lot of skills but I got to know most of them and how they are where they are! Going to the heart hospital, cancer Centre and their pharmacy , UCLH and their inside pharmacy and also UCLH theatres was also an eye opening experience. Touring around and seeing how the equipment we help to order is being used, the situations they face and the key vital role procurement is to the whole of UCLH was truly great. I loved every bit of the week especially in the theatres and on the help desk.”
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