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Entries in the Graham Williamson Challenge, Socitm’s travel award for people starting out on their career in ICT or a related discipline, are now open. The closing date is August 31 and the winner will be announced at Socitm 2009 in Edinburgh on Tuesday 13 October 2009.

The award was created in 2004 to enable a person at an early stage in their career to undertake a short period of work experience abroad, in order to broaden their understanding and knowledge of ICT and related disciplines in a wider public or third sector context.


The award provides a budget to cover travel, accommodation, and associated costs, with the expectation that the successful candidate is granted one month's paid leave of absence from work to fulfil the placement. 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 present an account of the experience at the Socitm annual conference.


The Challenge was established in memory of Graham Williamson, former Head of IT at Argyll and Bute Council who was a highly active member of Socitm. Graham died in a motorcycle accident in 2000, and the Challenge has been set up as a fitting memorial to someone who was passionate about IT and particularly interested in mentoring young people.


To apply for the Graham Williamson Award, applicants need to write 500 words describing what they hope to gain from the experience, how it will contribute to their career and professional development, how the experience might benefit current and/or future employers, and why they are the right person to take up the Graham Williamson Challenge. 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.

Further information is at http://www.socitm.gov.uk/socitm/Professional+development/Graham+Williamson+Challenge/default.htm 


Entries close on 31 August 2009 and the winner will be announced at the Socitm Annual Conference in Edinburgh on Tuesday 13 October.


Last year’s winner was Frances Kettleday, a Technical Project Manager with Cambridgeshire County Council. Frances used the award to visit Sweden, to gain experience from the leading fibre nation within the EU, of proven digital infrastructure solutions and applications.



For further information please visit www.socitm.gov.uk/ 


Further information:


Vicky Sargent, Socitm Press Office

Tel: 0845 094 5641; email: vicky.sargent@socitm.net