The CIEH has estimated that there are on average 650 students annually who complete the Environmental Health Degree/MSc but 400 fail to complete their training because they cannot find suitable student placement(s). This is due, among other things to:
- Financial pressures on students.
- Budget pressures on local authorities – training budgets often the most vulnerable
- Fewer authorities offering funded placements, some not training students at all
To ensure the profession is sustainable in the South East the regions management board has made it one of its key priorities to ensure an adequate number of placements are provided in the SE, through regional government and regional bodies, local authority members, and those in the private sector. For that reason it has set up the SE regions Directory of student placement. Integrated with the successful Welsh directory the SE project will add opportunities based in the SE to the existing database.
The student directory lists opportunities across the region which students can take up to help them complete their ELP. Opportunities can range from 1 hours to one month, and be in any type of authority, central regulator, business, consultancy or organisation.
We hope that organisations across the region can offer an opportunity, thereby decreasing the pressure on individual local authorities to provide placements, and making the system more equitable, and so help the future of our profession. To add an opportunity fill in the form and send to southeast@cieh.org
FAQ’s
1. If I offer an opportunity will I be swamped with students?
NO! You have control of student numbers at all times. Remember:
- The training provider defines time required for training opportunity
- The training provider can advise students that it is not convenient to take them if approached, and can specify times when it is never convenient to have student (eg Christmas holidays, Mid August).
- Training is limited to the opportunity described – it is not open ended, if you say a day it is a day.
2. There is already a placement of the type was going to offer should I add mine?
Yes, the more placements there are of one type, the more opportunities there are for students to choose from, and the greater the spread of students across the region.
3. I have a process/business type in my area but am not sure if it would be of use to students, should I add it?
If you think it might be, then add it, if students are interested then they will let you know by taking up the training offer.
4. Our County already offers our students opportunities in Authorities other than their own. If I open up those opportunities to others in the region can I give the students in my County priority?
Yes, as the training provider you can specify the conditions of the placement, including your students having first chance to take up that opportunity.