Work Experience Bursaries application guidance (PDF - 170KB)

CENTURY FENCE CONST CERTIFICATION'S & LICENSE'SNAME: REG/CLASS LIC/CERT # ExpiresDunn & Bradstreet 15-780-8007Fed ID# 52-2039515Licenses:Maryland Dept of Labor 124932 4/25/2015Maryland Dept of Labor (Residental) 91885 4/25/2015State of MD Const. Firm 16729490 4/30/2014Virginia CLASS A #2705004215A 11/30/2013Delaware Contractor 2009600823 12/31/2013City of Alexandria Contractor 116842-2012 12/31/2013Loudoun County Contracting B106135 12/31/2013Prince George County 1053939Concord TownshipWarminster Township C-4338Maryland Certification:Maryland Dept of Transportation-Minority BusinessEnterprise (MBE), Disadvataged Business Enterprise (DBE)& Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise(ACDBE) MBE-DBE-ACDBE #98-169 1/23/2014MD Small Business Reserve Program 188340 1/3/2014Virginia Certification:Virginia Commonwealth-Minority & Disadvantaged BusinessEnterprise DBE 666293 6/22/2013Virigina Department of Transportation Certicate ofQualification Vendor C1288 3/31/2014Virginia Commonwealth-Virginia Small Women & Minority SWAM #666293 9/20/2015North American Industry Classification System NAICS #238990, #321999 & 237310Virginia State Corporation Commission SCC #T013858-8Virginia Department of General ServicesVS0000039395South Carolina CertificationSouth Carolina Dept. of Transportation -DisadvantagedBusiness Enterprise DBE 7/9/2013Other Certifications:Wash. Metropolitan Area Transit Authority DBE 1384 8/20/2013Metro Wash. Airport Auth-Local Disadvantage BusinessEnterprise MWAA-LDBE #LD1997-0208-2013 4/24/2013Prince Georges County Government-Minority BusinessDevelopment Division MBDD #13-8791 4/10/2014Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)MBECity of Baltimore (Prequalification to bid) #4599Central Contracting RegistrationCCRUS Dept of Transportation USDOT #1067464WSSC-Minority Business Enterprise SLBE-MBE 3/26/2015North American Industry Classification SystemNAICS#238990 & 237310 & #321999North American Industry Classification System NAICC # 238990 & 237310Standard Industries ClassSIC#1799,5039,3496,3315Wide Area Work Flow Reg. Code WAWF #1EMB7Subcontractor Bidders List/Vendor ApprovedBaltimore City GovernmentArlington County GovernmentAnne Arundel County GovernmentCharleston SC International Airport TRIP MBE 5/3/2014Howard County GovernmentWSSC Centralized Bidder Regirstraton (CBR) SLBE-MBE 8/16/2013Pubic Schools/College'sAnne Arundel CountyCalvert CountyCharles CountyWashington County

Discretion will be applied when assessing applications for funding for equipment andresources.N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 3

How and when to applyWe are now accepting applications for Work Experience Bursaries; this means you cansubmit an application any time before the deadline of Sunday 30 th March 2014 forthe Research, International and UK Professional Bursaries. The GatewayBursary has a deadline of Sunday 13 th April 2014.Before beginning your application form, you may wish to discuss the details of yourapplication and to confirm whether your work experience opportunity is eligible. Pleaseemail: internships@contacts.bham.ac.uk (identify in the status line the appropriatebursary) and your enquiry will be directed to the appropriate member of the WorkExperience Bursary team. They will then telephone you to discuss your application.You can find out more about previous bursary winners at:http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/internships/bursarysuccess***************************************************************************************************Did you know that completing a work experience placement can gain you points on thePersonal Skills Award (PSA)? Doing work experience AND winning a Work ExperienceBursary will gain even more points!You can complete the Personal Skills Award in two different ways: through participationin ‘extra-curricular activities’ (such as part-time work, voluntary experience, sport andso much more), or by completing three accredited skills modules that appear on youracademic transcript.For more information on the Personal Skills Award, and how to register, please visithttps://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/employability/psa/index.aspx***************************************************************************************************N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 4

Application Process1. Contact the Careers Network to confirm the eligibility of your work experience orinternship opportunity if necessary:2. Complete the on-line Work Experience Bursary application form, accessible viahttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/internships/funding/index.aspxPLEASE NOTE that you can complete part of the application form on-line and thenreturn to it to complete it fully at a later date. However, if you upload anyattachments and try to save them to an incomplete form, they will not be saved.If it is not possible for you to complete your application on-line, please post or handin a paper copy of your typed application form and an electronic copy saved to diskto:Work Experience Bursary Team, Careers Network, University of Birmingham,Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT.Once your application has been received you will be sent email confirmation.Any questions regarding how to complete the application form should be emailed toCareers Network: internships@contacts.bham.ac.uk3. PLEASE NOTE that, if you are applying for the International Work ExperienceBursary, you will then be asked whether you are applying for the Enterprise Award.The Enterprise Award is a bursary made available by Enterprise Rent A Car for twostudents to receive up £1,000 (rather than the maximum award of £800 available toall other International Work Experience Bursary applicants). You should only statethat you are applying for this award if you intend to apply for the full £1,000available. Please be aware that only two Enterprise Awards are available. If you areunsuccessful in applying for that award, your application will still be considered forthe International Work Experience Bursary; however, the maximum award that youmay be allocated will be £800.4. If you are applying for a UK Professional Bursary, you will be asked whether youare applying for the Royal Bank of Scotland Award. The Royal Bank of ScotlandAward is available for one student to receive £1,000 (rather than the maximumaward of £800 available to all other UK Professional Bursary applicants). Youshould only state that you are applying for this award if you intend to apply for thefull £1,000 available. Only one Royal Bank of Scotland award is available. If you areunsuccessful in applying for that award, your application will still be considered forthe UK Professional Work Experience Bursary: however, the maximum award thatyou may be allocated will be £800.5. We will review your application form and if you pass the short listing process, weaim to invite you to an interview within a month of the application deadline. You willN:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 5

need to be available on at least one of the dates provided to you. (Studentsengaged on overseas placements may request an interview via Skype.)6. Please indicate on the application which of the following strands you wish to applyfor:University of Birmingham Undergraduate Research Experience BursaryUniversity of Birmingham International Work Experience BursaryUniversity of Birmingham UK Professional Work Experience BursaryUniversity of Birmingham Gateway Work Experience BursaryClick here for more information about each bursary.Example Work Experience Opportunities and InternshipsThe Work Experience Bursary scheme was set-up to support students wishing tochallenge and push themselves, which will mean different things for different people.You must find and secure your own work experience opportunity or internship; the typeof opportunity you look for should reflect your career aspirations and personaldevelopment needs.A challenging work experience opportunity or internship does not need to be overseasand it does not need to be in a ‘glamorous’ field. We are more interested in how thisopportunity is ambitious for your development.For example internships may take place in:• The voluntary or not-for-profit sector in policy and campaigning, communitydevelopment, service provision, etc.• Marketing/advertising• Sustainability/environmental work• Professional services e.g. Business consultancy, IT, Human Resources,Accounting, etc• Education and/or work with young people (note that this does NOT include studyabroad or attending summer schools)• Industry-based research in technology, engineering, the sciences, arts, or socialsciences• Laboratory-based research within the University of Birmingham or another researchinstitution• Professional development or training that will aide your skills and experience toenter a field/sector, e.g. conference attendanceThese are just some examples of potential work experience areas. The opportunityyou apply for or create will depend on what you want to get out of it.N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 6

EligibilityThe bursaries are available to assist with the funding of opportunities that do NOT formpart of your course requirements. You may NOT request a bursary to fundopportunities such as electives, or opportunities that are part of an accredited module.The Work Experience Bursary scheme is open to full time undergraduate students fromthe University of Birmingham currently in the first, second or penultimate year of theirdegree. Final year undergraduates, postgraduates and students from otherUniversities are not eligible to apply for this funding.(Please note that only the separate Global Challenge Internships Programme is opento ALL undergraduate students including final year students.)This fund has been set up to assist students in genuine need of financial support;please do not apply to the Work Experience Bursary scheme if you can accessassistance from elsewhere. If you will receive a salary and/or other expenseallowances from your work experience or internship provider, you will need todemonstrate that the costs of undertaking your work experience or internship willexceed these.The Work Experience Bursary scheme will not support work experience or internshipsconsidered to be in conflict with the principles or policies of the University or thestudent’s charter. More information on these can be found at:• Student’s charter www.birmingham.ac.uk/studentcharter• University charter and statutes www.intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/legislation• Gateway Bursary eligibility criteria: www.birmingham.ac.uk/internships/gatewayDo I need to secure my work experience opportunity or internship before I apply?You do not need to have your work experience opportunity or internship secured whenyou apply to the Work Experience Bursary scheme. However, when shortlisting,preference may be given to applicants who have secured or are in the last stages ofagreeing their position.If you do not manage to finalise your work experience opportunity or internship beforesubmitting your application and you are short-listed for an interview, this meeting willprovide the opportunity to tell us about any further progress you have made.Application SupportCareers Network offers application assistance to all students applying for a WorkExperience Bursary. Email careers@contacts.bham.ac.uk for more information.N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 7

Application form guidanceThis section outlines some general guidance on what we are looking for in your WorkExperience Bursary application. To increase your chances of being short-listed andconsidered for an award you need to ensure you have addressed the following to thebest of your ability.Please note that questions 1 – 3 require you to provide a minimum of 200 words inyour answers. Shorter answers will not be considered.Work experience detailsWhat will your duties be during your internship/volunteering/work experience? If you donot know exactly please give a brief summary of what you expect to do.Even if you have not secured your work experience opportunity yet, you should use thissection to explain to us what duties you expect to be undertaking in the type ofopportunity that you are seeking.Question 1How will the proposed work experience contribute to your personal developmentand future career aspirations? You are encouraged to identify the types of skillsyou will develop and how the experience will help you achieve your career goals.If you do not have a specific career goal at present, how will your workexperience help you to develop your skills and employability? Minimum 200word answer, maximum 400 words.When preparing your answer think about the skills and experiences you need toacquire to increase your career prospects (in your chosen field) and why this particularwork experience opportunity or internship will enable this to happen. We recommendthat you refer to the Student Skills Zone and the Progress tool (both available throughyour MyBham portal) to undertake a detailed assessment of your existing skills andthose that may be relevant to a career in your chosen field.If you have undertaken work experience in the past, tell us how this opportunity willenable you to develop different and additional skills and experiences.Question 2Explain how you will ensure that you get the most from the opportunity, how youanticipate the work to be challenging and how you envisage overcoming thechallenges. Minimum 200 words answer, maximum 400 words.N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 9

Think again about your skills and development areas. Tell us why you believe thisopportunity will push you. You may identify how the activities you undertake will takeyou out of your “comfort zone” and help you to build confidence applying skills that youmay not have been confident with previously. If you do not believe that this workexperience opportunity will present you with any challenges, you should identify in youranswer to this question what you plan to do to make sure that you get the maximumbenefit from this work experience opportunity. Please consider that the focus of youranswer should be your employability skills.Question 3How did you select, research and apply for your work experience? Whatinitiative did you show in sourcing this position? Of the opportunities that youresearched, please explain why you feel this is the best role to help your futuredevelopment. Minimum 200 word answer, maximum 400 words.In answering this question tell us about other positions and organisations youresearched and why you selected this position. Please also explain in what ways theproposed position is crucial to your personal development. If the work experience isoverseas you must provide a clear and strong explanation as to why a similarposition could not be undertaken in the UK.We are interested in the process you went through to find out about the proposed workexperience opportunity or internship and why you decided on this opportunity overothers. For example through: Internet searches, background research andcorrespondence with different work experience and internship providers;conversations/advice from lecturers and people working in your chosen field; feedbackfrom students undertaking similar internships, etc. Please consider that there are manydifferent opportunities for work experience available to you. If you do not demonstratesufficient research into a number of different opportunities, this may suggest that youare interested less in the benefits to be gained than the experience itself.The more you can say about why this particular opportunity will support yourdevelopment (in comparison to others) the more the judging panel will be convincedyou have planned and researched your work experience effectively.If you have created your work experience or internship by approaching organisationsand/or networking and making contacts, tell us about this. Using your initiative to tailoran opportunity to your individual needs shows commitment and enthusiasm, but makesure you negotiate what learning opportunities and support you will get with theprovider for whom you will be working.During previous years we have received a large number of applications from studentswishing to undertake work experience overseas. Some of these proposals appeared tobe less about students’ personal development and more about gaining an opportunityto travel and experience different cultures. The Work Experience Bursaries will onlyfund activity in the UK or overseas that students can clearly demonstrate isN:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 10

directly related to their personal and career development. Where students arerequesting support with an overseas opportunity, they will be asked to explain why asimilar programme in the UK would not provide the relevant learning opportunities.Question 4Has your work experience placement/internship been confirmed by the hostorganisation?Whatever stage you are currently at you must upload evidence demonstrating theprogress you have made. This should include some correspondence from yourproposed organisation (e.g. an acceptance letter, email correspondence demonstratingtheir willingness to explore some work experience, or an application formreceipt/interview invitation). This should also include your progress with regards tosecuring arrangements for things such as: travel, accommodation, insurance, visas,vaccinations, and any other necessary considerations. If you are applying for a bursaryto assist with overseas travel, please consider all the aspects involved, as identified onthe University of Birmingham Internship pages(http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/internships/funding/international/consider.aspx).You do not need to have your work experience or internship secured when you applyfor a Work Experience Bursary. However, when shortlisting, preference may be givento applicants who have secured or are in the last stages of agreeing their position.Question 5The purpose of question 5 is to help you plan out a comprehensive budget for yourwork experience.5a)You should insert all the costs you will incur as a result of going on your workexperience or internship opportunity in the table provided; this should include both thecosts to be covered by the Work Experience Bursary for which you are applying, andthose you plan to finance from elsewhere.To support the costs you insert you should include evidence where possibledemonstrating how you reached that amount. E.g. for an opportunity in London youcould look up costs for renting appropriate accommodation during the summer andinclude this.When submitting evidence please make sure you highlight or it is obvious whatinformation we should be referring to. In the past students have included entiredocuments or provided website addresses with no accompanying evidence from them.The judging panel do not have the time to search through information orwebsites for the relevant section.Screen shots, electronic and paper versions of evidence of budgetary expenditure areacceptable although electronic versions are preferred with your online application.N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 11

We will not be able to fund expenses that you are/will incur anyway regardless ofundertaking your work experience placement. We will also not be able to fund travelexpenses to your home town/country.Failure to supply comprehensive budget information and evidence will have adetrimental affect on your application passing the short listing process.The more comprehensive your budget the more the judging panel will consider that youhave planned and researched your internship in depth.If you will be receiving a salary for your work experience opportunity and/or allowances,you can only apply for a Work Experience Bursary if these do not cover the total cost ofyour opportunity. You must include the total salary and/or allowances you expectto receive in section ‘B)’ of the table. You may then apply for a Work ExperienceBursary to contribute towards any remaining costs – in sections ‘C)’ and ‘D)’ ofthe table.In section ‘E)’ you should insert any remaining costs relating to the work experienceopportunity which are not covered by the salary/allowances you will receive, and/or theamount you are requesting from the Work Experience Bursary.An example budget can be found in Appendix 1.University of Birmingham Travel InsurancePlease note that if you require insurance you may be covered by the University ofBirmingham’s business travel insurance policy. Please visit the University travelinsurance website at: https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/finance/travel/index.aspx formore information. We recommend that you read the policy documents and frequentlyasked questions available on the website carefully and check that your workexperience satisfies the conditions of the insurance policy and that the cover isadequate.Certain high risk destinations, pre-existing medical conditions and high risk activities orsporting activities may not be covered by the travel insurance. You may identify a needto obtain additional insurance to provide cover for activities that you plan to undertakeon your trip which are not covered by the policy, or to cover personal belongings whichmay not be covered.Any questions regarding the University's travel insurance should be directed to theUniversity's insurance team using the contact details provided on the website.If your work experience satisfies the conditions of the University travelinsurance, please do not include additional insurance costs within your budget.N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 12

5b)How do you intend to make up the remaining amount required to fund your workexperience? (The amount in section ‘E)’ of the budget table) Please includespecific examples and a breakdown of how you will meet the costs of your workexperience.E.g. Have you made any other applications for funding and what progress haveyou had with these? Do you have any personal savings or money from part-timework you intend to contribute? (Please identify if you intend to apply for morethan one UoB Work Experience bursary to fund your opportunity)For example tell us:• If you have or intend to obtain a part time job to save some money towards yourwork experience• If you have made applications to other sources of funding and where you are in theprocess• If you hope to receive contributions from friends and family, fundraising or any otheractivities5c)How will you fund the work experience if you are unsuccessful in receiving abursary? Please include specific examples and a breakdown of how you willmeet the costs of your work experience. Minimum 50 word answer.Please identify what contingency plans you would seek to implement if you do notobtain a bursary. This will demonstrate to the judging panel your commitment toundertaking the opportunity and how well you have researched all aspects of theproject.Realistic and FeasibleAs well as rating your application against the above questions, the judging panel willalso make an assessment, using all the information contained, as to how realistic andfeasible the proposed work experience opportunity appears to be. In previous yearssome students’ contingency plans have been very brief and not provided assessorswith a clear understanding of their feasibility.What’s next?If you are successful in being shortlisted for an interview, you will also be required toattend an Interview and Presentation Skills session prior to this. Details will be sent ifyou are invited to attend an interview.N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 13

APPENDIX 1Example Work Experience Budget PlannerBudget HeadingsAmount (in £/GBP)Accommodation £645Food and essential living expenses £850Utilities £120Costs of travelling abroad including any internal travel once at destination £778Insurance £0Medical requirements/vaccinations £50VISA/Permit £0Other, please state ………………………………………Total 2443Accommodation• Location of the company in Rio de Janeiro is: insert address of company• Looking to stay in (please ensure the area is safe and within commutable distance from your place ofwork):• The duration of stay would be XX weeks.• Using Easy Quarto, a recommended apartment/room share website, I researched multiple types ofaccommodation. Easy Quarto is available from:http://www.easyquarto.com.br/content/common/results.aspx?lc=L120311121940864&lc=L120311121940864&sort=8&v=map• House shares per month are, on average, R$600 per month. This is the equivalent to £215 a month.• For 12 weeks, this comes to £645.Location ofCompanyN:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 14

Food and essential living expenses• A forum online for expats living in Brazil gives information on every aspect of living in Brazil.• On this forum, it has been stated that the cost of food shopping per person is US$200 on average permonth. (£128 per month = £384 for 3 months). This site is available from:http://dailyriolife.typepad.com/my_weblog/food_and_drink/• As I would be trying local delicacies during my time there, I would be eating out around 2 times a week.The average cost of an inexpensive meal out is £8.00. (£8 x 12 weeks x 2 meals out = £192). This is alsoavailable from the expat forum stated above• Essential living expenses – as water/TV/internet is covered in utilities. As I would be new to the country, Iwould be inexperienced in the cheapest or best places to buy groceries. Therefore, I am budgeting £450 forgroceries for the duration of the 3 months, £200 for eating out and £200 for essential living costs.Utilities• All of the accommodation available has the cost of water, TV and internet included in the price of the rent.• Most apartments don’t have washing machines/dryers• Typical Laundromats cost R$25 for a wash and dry (£8.90).• There are many articles or posts about Brazilians charging extortionate amounts for laundry services andabout them stealing clothes when doing the laundry. I will try and do as much hand washing as possible.• For work clothes etc., I will need around 1 wash a week. For 12 weeks this would cost a total of £106.86.As I will be inexperienced in the local Laundromats, I am budgeting £120 for laundry, giving allowancesfor extra washes.• Wikitravel has many articles published online regarding information on laundry in this area:http://wikitravel.org/en/Rio_de_Janeiro_%28city%29Cost of travelling abroad including any international travel once at destinationFlights from UK• STA, a student travel company, offer a flight comparator section on their website. This is available from:(http://book.statravel.co.uk/staglobe/AirFlightSearchResult.do;jsessionid=F21737E2DC7D65764665E7B56CA73F67?followAction=AirFlightSearch)• The internship starts 1 st July and finishes 18 th September• The following screenshot shows the results from the comparator website:N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 15

• Prices are given on 11 th March 2012 for flying there on the 29 th June and departing 20 th September. Flyingout before the internship starts gives time for acclimation and jet lag, and flying out 2 days after it finishes• I added on £100 as the prices will increase by approximately this much when the time comes for bookingthe flights.Insurance• My travel insurance is annually paid for by my parents as we get a good family deal.• Therefore, no extra insurance costs would need to be paid.Medical Requirements/Vaccinations• I would require vaccinations for Yellow Fever as I am currently unprotected for it.• Yellow Fever vaccinations cost £50, as quoted by my doctors, the University Medical Practice. 01216873055.• The rest of my vaccinations are up to date.• Rio de Janeiro is not in a malaria area. Most of Brazil is malaria free.http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/south-america/brazil.aspxVISA/Permit‘Business vis a - This visa is required if during any portion of your visit you intend to conduct business orcommercial activities. Please note such visas can only be issued to travellers not being paid for work by an entitywithin Brazil. If you intend to undertake paid work in Brazil you will need to obtain a work visa.’• As I will not be paid for my working hours whilst in Brazil, I do not need a Visa.• As, I will be in the country for 84 days, I do not exceed the 90 day period.http://brazil.visahq.co.uk/N:\Careers\WORK EXPERIENCE - SEW\Work Experience Bursaries\Applications 16