CIEH and the University of Ulster calling on businesses to support students

The commercial and economic benefits for businesses involved in Environmental Health undergraduate work placement schemes will be highlighted at a breakfast briefing at 7.30am on Wednesday 16th May hosted by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the University of Ulster.

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry will address organisations from the public, private and non-profit sectors at the event in Riddel Hall, Stranmillis. There is a growing need for businesses to be compliant with environmental health requirements including health and safety, consumer protection and food safety standards and Environmental Health professionals can significantly assist modern, dynamic and progressive organisations in meeting these through developing and reviewing internal systems.

Minister Farry said: “I recognise that good quality student work placements are vitally important in adding to the skills, experience and work-readiness of our graduates, whilst also providing mutual benefits to our local businesses. I commend both CIEH and the University of Ulster for encouraging businesses in the environmental health sector to utilise the skills of Northern Ireland’s talented undergraduates.”

Looking ahead to the event Gary McFarlane Director CIEH NI said, “Offering student placements is a win win scenario. All businesses have to comply with a wide range of legal requirements and many will also want to improve their performance as well as maximize efficiency. Environmental Health students have the necessary scientific, technological and social skills to assist businesses in achieving this. They can review existing systems and procedures, suggest and develop new or improved ones and even assist with staff training. Businesses benefit through the critical thinking, new ideas and fresh enthusiasm they will bring and the students benefit through refining their skills and knowledge base.”

Damian McGivern Director of Employability & Marketing University of Ulster said, “Businesses have a real opportunity to gain up to date knowledge and also add to their corporate responsibility credentials by offering students this valuable industry experience; after all they are the life blood of our future economy.”  

CIEH is the professional awarding and campaigning body at the forefront of environmental and public health and offers a range of services for students interested in becoming environmental health practitioners.

The event is free of charge however places are limited. Please RSVP to Hannah Rollings on h.rollings@cieh.org or call 02890 243884.

ENDSFor further information please contact Shane Finnegan or Caroline Murphy at Aiken PR on 02890663000 or caroline@aikenpr.co.uk