"The City of Westminster wishes to thank Parkway Recruitment for supporting young people in their preparation for working life by consistently providing quality work experience placements" 12/03/07

Like most companies, Parkway Recruitment recognises the positive effects of providing work experience placements for young students. Viewing the experience as a community favour or a way to decrease our workload is far from the Parkway vision. As a company it has been very full filling to know that we are apart of the training programme for London's future work force.

There are often complaints regarding the lack of skills of new employees. The Government has improved education yet the real world experience fails to match it.

It has been a pleasure over the years to have worked with many young teens from all backgrounds, which have all left with a new confidence and insight into the real working world. It has also created a chance for the students to consider what options are available when they leave school.

As we work so closely with the students, at times it has been impossible not to become very attached to them. Over the years they have made us experience a range of emotions, some made us laugh and cry making it very hard to say good bye. They have all made as positive impression on us providing a fresh approach and outside viewpoint. This is one of the reasons why we continue to place students here. Being able to witness their first stages of adulthood is very rewarding.

It is paramount for the students to learn as much as they can during their two week placement at Parkway Recruitment. Following the health and safety procedures on their first day, we take time to discuss personal targets and what they wish to achieve at the end of their placement, giving the student our full support we make sure that they successfully complete them all.

The placement is very much like an office junior role which covers answering the telephone, dealing with documents, faxing, emailing, scanning and so forth. Even though Parkway is a recruitment agency all the skills that the student will learn in this office can be used in any working environment.

Dear Akile I have had contact from Loren Averill following her last day on placement with Parkway Recruitment. She felt her experience at Parkway was an extremely positive and a genuine introduction to the world of work. She was overjoyed with the first class reference she received from your company and the generous farewell gifts. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to you and your staff on behalf of Hornsey School for Girls and would like you to note that this invaluable opportunity and feedback could make a significant difference to the life chances of this young person. Sincere best wishes. Ms Sherife Tayfun Positive Behaviour Support Programme (PBSP)Manager