A leading Warwickshire translation firm has welcomed news that the Government aims to make work experience more accessible.
The Government recently announced that more than 100 companies had signed up to a scheme which aims to make it easier for pupils to gain work experience.
But Comtec Translations, based in Leamington, has long been setting the standard for offering work placements – taking on 22 students for short placements over the past 12 months alone.
The placements aim to help pupils gain a valuable insight into how businesses run together with an understanding of possible careers involving languages while at the same time assisting Comtec with general administration and marketing projects.
Sophie Howe, managing director at Comtec Translations, who offer translation expertise in over 200 languages, said it was important for businesses to set a good example by offering to support the next generation of employees.
“While education is vital to the development of the workforce, there is no substitute for real life hands-on experience when it comes to entering the work place,” she said.
“We have regularly been offering placements for some time now, and we are delighted the Government has also seen the value in these types of placements.
“Smaller firms such as ourselves often have to commit a proportionately large percentage of our resources to supporting work experience students, so there should be no excuse for larger firms failing to offer this kind of opportunity.”
One of the schools which has formed strong work experience links with Comtec Translations is Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls, in Shottery.
Rachel Key, careers adviser at Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls, said: “Good quality work experience is invaluable in helping our students to explore their career aspirations.
“In recent years Comtec has very generously offered placements to our pupils interested in studying languages at University.
“This gives them a unique insight into the global market of translation and Sophie Howe is a superb role model for our ambitious young women.”