Talent management specialist, learnpurple, has been named ‘Work Placement of the Year’ in the 10 – 250 employees category at the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) Awards 2011, presented by The Apprentice finalist, Ruth Badger.

Jane Sunley, Chief Executive of learnpurple comments “We’re thrilled to have won this award after being highly commended last year. We are committed to investing in our talent pipeline and encouraging young people into our industry. Offering a high impact work experience programme is just one way of doing so. I’m always impressed and pleasantly surprised at the level of talent and commitment we see from our placement students.”

In choosing the winner, the judges specifically highlighted the effect the work experience programme had on the individual’s learning assertiveness and self confidence.

Jane continues “We are all about transformation, so it excites us to see how we can help these students who start off rather nervously and unsure to become young adults, taking responsibility and feeling confident. They also bring with them a lot of enthusiasm to learn and want to achieve, and succeed which rubs off on others in learnpurple.”

Mike Hill, chief executive of the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, which operates the NCWE says: “The emphasis on work experience has never been more prevalent and employers are increasingly valuing work experience in terms of the business benefits and the personal and academic development of the student.”

Winners were judged by a panel of senior professionals who represent the full internship process, including those from Rolls Royce and Liverpool John Moores University.