Placement FAQs

If your question isn't covered below, then contact us here

NOTE: All placements are subject to change or withdrawal at any time. Placements are also conditional on a reasonable security situation for the location as determined by the EWB-UK Board of Trustees, EWB-UK finding suitably qualified volunteers to undertake the placement, and EWB-UK securing the necessary funding for the placements.

Volunteering with EWB-UK

  1. Who is eligible for a placement?
  2. What sort of people are EWB-UK looking for?
  3. What if I'm not an engineer?
  4. What preparation is involved?
  5. How will I communicate with EWB-UK during the placement?
  6. What is required the end of the placement?

General Placement Programme

  1. What are the aims of the EWB-UK placements programme?
  2. When do the placements run?
  3. What is the selection process?
  4. How are placements funded?
  5. How much money do volunteers have to contribute?

Volunteering with EWB-UK FAQs

  1. Who is eligible for a placement?
    Placements are open to UK-resident university students and recent graduates over the age of 18 but who have no more than 4 years of professional engineering experience. Applicants must be UK based (either studying at a UK university, working in the UK, or unemployed and living in the UK) and  must be able to travel to UK interviews, and pre-departure training.
  2. What sort of people are EWB-UK looking for?
    Most successful Placement Volunteers have a technical background, usually in engineering or science. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong interest in development, and the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to undertake the placement successfully.
  3. What if I'm not an engineer?
    Some placements are suitable for non-engineers or scientists with the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience. Some do not require specific technical knowledge.
  4. What preparation is involved?
    Selected volunteers will receive a briefing from the EWB-UK Placement Manager, introducing them to their Placement and the Partner Organisation. They will guide volunteers towards appropriate research and preparation which may be carried out prior to departure. All volunteers selected must also attend the EWB-UK pre-departure training course in June (this year 21-25 June 2010).
  5. How will I communicate with EWB-UK during the placement?
    All communication between the volunteer and EWB-UK is through their EWB-UK Placement Manager.

    In the unlikely case of a medical or other emergency, the volunteer will be supplied with a contact number for EWB-UK, who have access to their next of kin details, insurance and relevant medical details.

  6. What is required the end of the placement?
    Volunteers are required to complete a Post placement evaluation towards the end of their placement. This is used by the Placements Programme to determine what the volunteer has achieved during their placement, and deal with any problems with the placement for the following year.
    Volunteers are encouraged to continue their involvement with EWB-UK after their placement. This may be in the form of giving presentations at EWB-UK branches, or getting involved in the Placements programme, or another of EWB-UK's programmes.

General Placement Programme FAQs

  1. What are the aims of the EWB-UK placements programme?
    • To reduce poverty
    • To give young people work experience in the development sector
    • To increase the capacity of our partners
  2. When do the placements start?
    Placements start at the beginning of July, but this can be change where necessary. Placements last from 3-12 months.
  3. What is the selection process?
    Applicants can apply for up to 3 placements each online via this website. Applications for the placements open annually around the beginning of February. Applicants are graded, and a shortlist of candidates are invited for interview, which are going to be held on either 10th/11th April or 17th/18th April.
  4. How are placements funded?
    Placements costs (including flights, food and accommodation, insurance, vaccinations, visas and essential in-country travel only) are estimated by EWB-UK. EWB-UK covers most of the costs, but Volunteers must contribute an amount of money, which they retain themselves to cover some of the placement costs.
  5. How much money does the volunteer have to contribute?
    • For 0-6 month placements, volunteers must contribute £600
    • For placements longer than 6 months (i.e. the SIBAT placement only) volunteers must contribute £900

If your question isn't covered above, then contact us here

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