NTW Solutions has tapped into emerging talent by offering year long undergraduate student placements in our busy Finance and Procurement teams who play an important role in supporting frontline NHS services. The triple A students, Alex, Andrew and Anthony, have gained practical experience of how finance and procurement work in a public sector organisation and we gained fresh ideas and new perspectives.
Students on placement are fully involved in day to day work and are given meaningful responsibilities. Alex, studying Business Studies at Leeds Beckett, has worked in operational procurement and has experienced the complexity of a procurement team serving an organisation of thousands of staff and responsible for millions of pounds of spend. He works closely with a range of stakeholders and suppliers to ensure the whole procurement process runs smoothly.
Andrew, studying Accountancy at Durham, has spent time between different finance teams, in both financial and management accounting, carrying out a range of tasks in both. He believes that the placement has given him a head start in his career, gaining valuable experience as well as good understanding of which specialism he’s more likely to follow after graduation.
Anthony, studying Business Management at Northumbria has worked in the contracting side of procurement, as well as some time in operational procurement. He has supported several high value tenders and more recently he independently led his own procurement process, delivering savings of around £12,000.
The placements are designed to be supportive and flexible, recognising that people learn in different ways. Students work alongside experienced colleagues, build confidence in a professional environment and see how their learning applies in practice. The placement also helps shape future career choices and provides a clearer picture of opportunities within the NHS.
The student placements are part of the NHS undergraduate placement scheme and are coordinated through the regional Skills Development Network, which works with universities across the UK to advertise opportunities and manage applications. NTW Solutions’ Finance and Procurement teams design the placement roles, provide day‑to‑day supervision and support, and make sure students gain meaningful, hands‑on experience during their year with us.
The benefits are shared. Teams value the fresh perspective, enthusiasm and new ideas that students bring, while students leave with stronger skills and real experience of working in Finance and Procurement. By investing in student placements, NTW Solutions is helping to develop future professionals and create a strong pipeline of talent for the years ahead.
