The awards are designed to acknowledge the valuable partnership between Ulster University and local industry, which is producing highly skilled graduates who are driving indigenous business growth and attracting inward investment to the region.
Seamus McConomy, Work Experience Development Manager at Ulster University said: "These awards recognise the role played by industry in providing work-based training for our students, which bolsters the knowledge they gain in the classroom. This year's shortlist includes leading employers of all sizes across a wide range of sectors including everything from IT and construction to retail and healthcare.
"Work placements allow students to get first-hand experience of industry, while giving employers an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the skills of the future workforce. With over 2,000 Ulster University students undertaking placements every year, the University continues to produce a pipeline of industry ready graduates who are driving economic growth of globally focused businesses."
The Placement Employer of the Year Awards shortlist, which was decided by a panel of industry leaders and university representatives, includes:
Over 50 employees category
- Extern
- First Derivatives
- PwC
Up to 50 employees category
- Automated Intelligence Ltd
- Core Systems NI Ltd
- ISArc Limited
Public sector category
- Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
- NHSCT (Holywell Hosp)
- Probation Board for Northern Ireland
New partnership category
- MLM Building Control
- MTS Wealth
- Warner Bros
Nominated by students category
- Henry Group NI Ltd
- Kainos
- Options Technology
Nominated by Ulster University staff category
- Allianz
- Chain Reaction Cycles
- WDR & RT Taggart
The Awards will take place on Thursday 5 May at Ulster University's Jordanstown campus.