Carillion has found work placements for all but three of the students who were left in the lurch after the firm decided to cancel its sponsorship scheme

The contractor had informed 83 students in July that the £1,500-a-year sponsorship packages they had been offered were to be withdrawn.

Of those affected, 32 were told they would not be able to complete the accompanying work placement, which was a requirement for their graduation.

Nearly all of the 32 have since been offered placements. Twenty-two will return to Carillion and others have made alternative arrangements.

A spokesperson for the contractor said: “There are just three students yet to find a placement. A handful sorted out their own arrangements, 22 have been placed by us and one is under offer. We have been unable to contact two.”

The £1,500 payment will not be reinstated, however, because of the “current economic climate” and students will have to find their own funding.

There are three students yet to find a placement. We’ve been unable to contact two

Carillion spokesperson

The move by Carillion follows an attempt by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) last month to find placements for the affected students. It called on members to offer alternative arrangements.

A spokesperson for the CIOB said: “These are difficult times, but it is important that the industry keep hold of talent.”

He said the response from the institute’s 700 members had been overwhelming, with firms of all sizes offering to take on as many students as they could.

He added: “Ultimately the help was not required as Carillion sorted out arrangements for the affected students themselves.”

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