STUDENTS - Press Release from NSPCC

Press release from NSPCC.

STUDENTS GET ‘HIRED!’ FOR THE NSPCC
The NSPCC has launched its student challenge HIRED! which is supported by Nickelodeon and students across Wales are being urged to sign up. Getting involved will provide participants with valuable business skills to include on their CV and raise funds for the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal.

HIRED! will encourage young entrepreneurship, by inviting students to demonstrate their business acumen against other student teams from top universities across the UK, by putting on an innovative fundraising and awareness raising event. Short-listed participants will be provided with priceless feedback from prominent business people on their strategy and commercial sharpness in addition to a chance of winning some great prizes.

Students can now register their team of up to four or as individuals on www.nspcc.org.uk/student. In April, the short-listed teams will pitch to a panel of experts including the HR director from Nickelodeon amongst others who will choose a winning team or individual to land one month’s work experience at Nickelodeon plus other fantastic prize for the runners up including a surf weekend.

From now until February students can think up creative event ideas as broad as their imaginations allow. Then it will be time to put their plans into action. The judging panel will assess not only the amount raised but ingenuity, public awareness raised, teamwork and professionalism.

The entire winning team will receive one month’s work placement at Nickelodeon. This opportunity will give students essential know-how in a variety of departments. Beach Break Live tickets and a ‘learn to surf’ weekend are among other prizes that are up for grabs for the short-listed teams.

Karl Burnett, VP, HR Director at Nickelodeon, says: "Students enjoying university life may be thinking about the next steps and the ‘real’ world of work. It’s a highly competitive job market and gaining valuable experience is more important than ever. This initiative offers students a fantastic opportunity to learn about many aspects of our business which will give them a competitive advantage moving forward. HIRED! tests a range of skills including creativity, project management and marketing ability, all of which play a key role in the workplace. We look forward to welcoming the winning team to Nickelodeon and wish all the contestants the best of luck!"

Speaking about the challenge event Imogen Armstrong, NSPCC product development assistant, said "HIRED! is a fantastic initiative which allows students to show off their creative talents and display their skills in a way that will appeal to potential graduate employers, while also raising valuable funds for the Child's Voice Appeal. Students will also gain a crucial understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility which is a vital part of modern business ethics, central to customer relations and inspires financial growth and health."

It is hoped that HIRED! will raise thousands and awareness for the Child’s Voice Appeal, the NSPCC’s three-year appeal to raise £50 million to maintain and grow the NSPCC’s helplines, text and online counselling services.

Online registration is open now on www.nspcc.org.uk/student until 18 February 2010. Pitching to the panel will take place in April at a London venue. For further information e-mail: students@nspcc.org.uk or call 0800 101 996.