MID & WEST WALES Fire & Rescue Service’s Finance Department has been part of an innovative intern scheme, resulting in a Carmarthenshire student receiving second place in the University of the West of England’s (UWE) Intern of the Year award.
The UWE Undergraduate Internship Scheme runs from June to September each year and provides funding and support to employers who wish to recruit UWE graduates from the most recent graduating cohort.
Earlier this year, Naomi Sillars, who is from Carmarthenshire, began a 13 week work placement in the Service’s finance department. Naomi is studying for a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance and was able to assist the department in preparing the end of year statement of accounts, assist with the annual external audit process, carry out routine accounting processes, attend the Fire Authority’s Resources Management Committee meeting and attend a Welsh Government Advisory Group meeting. Naomi also successfully completed a project to automate parts of the quarterly budget reporting saving the Finance department hours of routine work.
In recognition of Naomi’s hard work, the finance department nominated her for the Intern of the Year award at the “Celebrating UWE Talent” awards ceremony held in Bristol on November 13, 2013. The ceremony recognises the fantastic achievements of UWE students through hundreds of national and international work experience placements and internships.
MAWWFRS’s Head of Finance, Steven Flather said, “Naomi has left a real lasting legacy in the department and as such we felt compelled to nominate her for the Intern of the Year award. She excelled beyond our expectations and out of the hundreds of students who were nominated, it is a fantastic achievement for Naomi to come second.
Director of Resources Liz Aitken said, “We are really pleased to have been part of this scheme and able to offer the opportunities and support which many young people seek from prospective employers as they prepare to leave university and enter into the workplace”.
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