PREPARING students for the world of work has won an award for Pfizer at Sandwich. Chris Tyler from the Kent and Medway Education Business Alliance said: "Each year 18,000 Year 10 and 11 students in the county undertake work experience and this award recognises Pfizer as an excellent provider of work experience opportunities"

The presentation was made on Thursday to Judy Pollard, work experience co-ordinator at Pfizer, by Tim Meadley, chief executive of the Kent and Medway Education Business Alliance.

KMEBA organises the Quality Award for Work Experience and Pfizer is the first company in the Sandwich area to gain the title. Guests at the presentation ceremony at Pfizer included John Adams, Pfizer's academic liaison manager, and staff from the company who supported the successful work experience programme.

Staff and students from local schools who took part in the programme were also invited, as well as Anne McNulty, manager of the East Kent Education Business Partnership, and Dina Moore, the consultant who undertook the schools' assessment for the award.