51Âþ»­

Ten students from 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) have passed the highly competitive selection process for the Government Economic Service (GES).

With limited places on offer nationally, 51Âþ»­ students have secured a significant percentage of the placement opportunities for the latest recruitment cycle.

Most will start in September and, if they impress and pass all their tests, the students will be automatically offered a one-year graduate scheme.

student Becky Smith thinks it's a great opportunity.

"I was so pleased to secure what is one of the only economics-specific placements," said the 20-year-old from Leicester.

"My London placement will give me an insight into working life along with a chance to apply many of the things I am learning at 51Âþ»­.

"Hopefully it will also make me a more knowledgeable and open-minded student when I return to university."

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Adam Chopdat is equally excited to be spending a year with the GES in Cardiff.

He said: "I saw the job description and thought it suited my degree.

"I'm so happy, as I didn't think I'd get it."

The 21-year-old from Leicester said he wouldn't have known about the opportunity without the .

"I received great help and support from them," he said. "For me it's more like having a friend."

Classmate Ismail Chebaiki believes the real-world experience will "give him a boost in the jobs market".

The 20-year-old from London said: "I'll be working for the Government, so will get an insight into how they work.

"It's crucial experience as well as an insight into how people's lives are affected by Government decisions."

Ismail also credits the placement team, along with his Economics lecturers, for helping him impress his future employer.

"Dr Tom Allen and Ms Parmjit Kaur held tailored revision sessions on economic principles before the interview and I'd like to say thanks to them," he said.

Dr Allen is delighted that the students are going to be economists. He said: "They can apply in a very direct way what they have learned on the course to solve direct problems.

"Working in the Civil Service, in particular, you really have responsibility to help deliver policy and feel close to making an impact in the world."

The GES is the UK's largest single employer of economists and 51Âþ»­ students will be working at HM Revenue and Customs, the Office for National Statistics, the Home Office and departments for Work and Pensions, Trade, Transport and Education.

Placement Co-ordinator Zul Muhammad is thrilled with 51Âþ»­'s success.

"We have had a 100 per cent increase in the number of students securing a placement with GES, which is a highly competitive recruitment process," he said.

"Previous 51Âþ»­ students who have completed a placement with GES have gone and secured a graduate role through the Civil Service Fast Track service. This is a great achievement for our students."