Graham Williamson Challenge
About the challenge
The Graham Williamson Challenge is a travel award which enables a person starting out in ICT to undertake a short (up to a month) period of work experience abroad in order to broaden their understanding and knowledge of ICT in a wider public sector context. Host authorities are identified through the links Socitm has with similar professional associations all over the world. On return from their trip GWC winners are expected to produce a report based on their experience , deliver a short presentation at Socitm meetings as appropriate and a presentation at the Socitm conference in 2010.
The award, which was given for the first time in 2004, was established by Socitm in memory of Graham Williamson, former Head of IT Services, Argyll and Bute Council, who was killed in a motorbike accident in August 2000. Graham was passionate about IT, and was heavily involved in Socitm both at a regional and national level. He was particularly interested in mentoring young people in ICT.
Previous winners have visited New Zealand, Australia, and America and the winner in 2007, Shey Cobley, a Communications Officer from Oxford City Council, visited India in June/July 2008 and this year, Frances Kettleday, a technical project manager from Cambridgeshire who travelled to Sweden. Full details of the previous winners can be found on the adjoining web page.
How to Apply
Applications are now been sought for 2009.
The Challenge is open to individuals starting out on their career in IT or a related discipline and is working, or aspires to work, in the public or third sectors.
If you wish to apply for the award please email a copy of your CV together with an overview of no more than 500 words describing:
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The trip/experience you would like to undertake
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How you hope to gain from the experience
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How it will contribute to your career and professional development
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How the experience might benefit current and/or future employers and Socitm.
Submissions will be judged by a panel of senior members and officers of Socitm, including the current President.
Submissions should be emailed to gwc@socitm.net to be received no later than 31st August 2009. The winner will be presented with the award at the Socitm Autumn Conference in Edinburgh on Tuesday 13 October 2009.