GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is the first corporate organisation to receive the Professional Development Programme (PDP) QualityMark developed by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) and the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE). The recognition follows a successful pilot project between the three organisations to develop a benchmark standard for work experience which will now be rolled out across other industries.

Jane Weir, Director of the Careers Service, University of Glasgow explains, "We have been involved in the GSK Chemistry Programme for many years and the interactions have been of benefit to the students, the University and to GSK.

Work experience is a mandatory element of many undergraduate courses and the underlying rationale for the QualityMark is ensuring employers make a contribution to developing employable graduates, complementing the academic input from higher education.

The GSK UK Chemistry programme trains students to become competent and confident chemistry practitioners, alongside developing their wider 'employability' with softer skills such as communication, teamwork and management."

Dave Allen, vice president of chemistry for the respiratory and inflammation centre of excellence of drug discovery at GSK, is convinced of the benefits.

He says: "We are proud of our programme and of the work that the students carry out during their year with us. Programmes like this are vitally important to the development of future chemists for the pharmaceutical industry."

The PDP QualityMark complements UVAC's Foundation Degree and Graduate Apprenticeship accreditation programmes. It is primarily intended to build bridges between academia and commerce by ensuring that:

• students are well prepared for their work placements continuing support for the students and work experience provider is given during the period of the placement
• there is a formal evaluation and debrief at the end - enabling students to articulate what they have derived from the placement as part of their ongoing career strategies.

Liz Rhodes, Director of NCWE, concludes: "The nationally recognised QualityMark will give employers and institutions a reference point when developing undergraduate work experience programmes. Everyone stands to benefit, including students, as employers are more and more regarding work experience as a desirable entry on graduates' CVs."

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Notes to Editors:

About the UVAC QualityMark accreditation process:

Any Professional Development Programme, Foundation Degree or Graduate Apprenticeship seeking a UVAC QualityMark must be approved by UVAC?s Education and Accreditation Committee.

The committee includes representatives from the University Vocational Awards Council; the University of Hertfordshire; Coventry University; University College Northampton; University of Greenwich; City University; Leeds Metropolitan University; University of Central England; Anglia Polytechnic University; City College Manchester; University of Teesside with observers from City & Islington College: the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAAHE); the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England HEFCE. Following approval by the Education and Accreditation Committee the programme must then be ratified by the UVAC Board.

The UVAC QualityMark provides impartial national recognition relating to the quality of the programme and indicates that:

Higher and/or Further Education, employers and where relevant Sector Skills Councils/other sector bodies have been fully involved in the design and delivery of the occupationally specific programme ? thereby ensuring that the programme meets identified skills and knowledge gaps

The programme provides an integrated approach to academic study and work-based learning, including Vocational Qualifications and Units, National Occupational Standards and Key Skills, where appropriate Flexible delivery mechanisms have been adopted where possible to meet the needs of learners.

About NCWE

NCWE, the National Council for Work Experience, is a division of CSU, the higher education Careers Services Unit. It promotes, supports and develops quality work experience for the benefit of students, organisations and the economy. This includes disseminating information and good practice, encouraging the development of quality standards and encouraging more employers to provide placement opportunities.

For further information contact: Claire Graves/ Graham Smith/ Kathryn Collins at Twelve Consultancy T 020 7631 0737 E claire@twelvepr.co.uk

About UVAC ? www.uvac.ac.uk The University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) champions vocational learning for employability and personal fulfilment. Its membership includes 48 universities, 21 higher education and further education colleges and corporate stakeholders such as the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS); the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the Learning and Teaching Support Network (LTSN).

UVAC accredits educational institutions and other organisations (including employers) that have met nationally recognised quality standards in relation to Foundation Degrees; Graduate Apprenticeships and Professional Development Programmes.

For further information contact: Louise Jaggs at TextOnTap T +44 (0)1242 257770; +44 (0)7712 011246; E UVAC@textontap.com

About GSK: - www.science.gsk.com

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a world leading research-based pharmaceutical company with a powerful combination of skills and resources that provides a platform for delivering strong growth in today's rapidly changing healthcare environment. GSK's mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Over 15,000 people working in GSK?s global R&D organisation are responsible for discovering, developing, registering, commercialising and supporting appropriate marketing of prescription medicines and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of human disease. In 2002 GSK invested ?2.6 billion in research and development at more than 20 sites in eight countries worldwide.

GSK aspires to become the most productive R&D organisation in the pharmaceutical industry. To achieve this, the Company is harnessing the latest knowledge and applying new technology. The company has a leading position in genetics research and new drug discovery technologies.

We are committed to partnering with academic institutions. We have developed more than 800 early discovery research collaborations with colleges and universities around the globe, and we fund research for hundreds of masters-level, doctoral and fellowship students each year.

For further information contact: Louise Dunn, Director of Science Communications: T +44 (0) 00 8047 5495 University of Glasgow Press Office :0141 330 3535/ 3683

First published: 31 October 2003