A Bingley-based publishing group has been named as one of the best places in the country to get an internship.

Emerald Group Publishing Limited received recognition at the National Council for Work Experience Awards 2010. The leading scholarly publisher employs more than 200 people at its Bingley headquarters.

It beat competition from five companies to take the highly-commended award in the ‘best placement nominated by a careers advisor’ category following a nomination from the University of Leeds Careers Centre.

Emerald Group Publishing was also a finalist in the ‘new schemes’ category.

The winners were announced during a ceremony at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London.

Gordon McKenzie, director for the office for graduate opportunities for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, presented 23 NCWE Awards across 11 categories, rewarding companies that have demonstrated exceptional work placements.

Sarah Gilbert, learning and development officer at Emerald Group Publishing, said: “Our scheme is fairly new so to have been recognised for our work so far is rewarding and motivating. The University of Leeds is central to our intern recruitment and we look forward to collaborating with them more as our placements develop.”

Heather Collier, director of the NCWE, said: “We’re now in the seventh year of the awards and their increasing popularity reflects the growing importance of work experience, allowing students to develop skills while providing companies a talent pool for recruitment.

“Emerald Group Publishing showed that great enthusiasm and thought has gone into the creation of their scheme and we look forward to seeing how they develop in the future.”

The NCWE Awards encourage employers who take the lead in the provision of work placement for undergraduates. They should set high standards by offering fulfilling work placements that help students to bridge the gap between education and the world of work. More than 250 companies entered the NCWE Awards 2010.