The University of Worcester’s Business School has launched an innovative scheme that collaborates with businesses to give students more access to the professional world.
Representatives of some of the businesses getting involved, University staff and others at the launch of the ARC programme
The ARC (Aspire Reward Connect) Programme will use these links to help inspire business students in their studies through further exposure to the business world and rewarding them with opportunities to learn about different aspects of business firsthand from employers. This in turn could boost their employability and make a positive impact on the community.
Now the Business School is looking for more businesses to get on board.
Dr Abdulmaten Taroun, Head of the Department of Management and Finance within the University’s Business School, who is leading the Programme, said: “At the Business School we are committed to providing our students with the best possible learning experience and helping them realise their potential. We’re always keen to work with business alongside our teaching and provide opportunities for our students, exposing them to the professional world and enhancing their professional opportunities. We hope this scheme will create a fantastic opportunity for our students in terms of boosting their employability prospects. We also believe it will help businesses attract the promising talent from our students to join their organisations, but also give them a chance to give back to society and support education.”
More than a dozen local businesses are already signed up to the ARC programme. Businesses that sign up can contribute in different ways and at different levels, but are asked to get involved in extra activities or rewards for students.
This could be offering two to three-week work experience opportunities where students can observe and shadow professionals, which would be offered to students that have excelled in a module or assignment particularly relevant to that firm. Through these opportunities, students would be able to see how different business departments function and link theory to practice.
The businesses will also be encouraged to contribute to an ARC pot to fund extracurricular activities to enhance learning, such as business trips, visiting trade exhibitions and business shows, or it could be used to help with students’ attendance at professional events, conferences, or to get professional qualifications.
Businesses in the scheme can be involved in a Business Talks series, delivering inspiring talks to students, staff and the business community about their business practice and their industry in more depth. They would also have the chance to collaborate with course teams to ensure modules or courses reflect the true industry demands of the day and give guest lectures to students.
They can also contribute financial awards given to reward top overall performance on business courses at the end of the academic year.
Dr Taroun added: “It’s a vision for long-term partnership. We want to be fully integrated with the business and professional world and be able to offer every single student a first-hand professional experience of how businesses function. On top of that, those students who excel in their studies and work hard will be rewarded by having more exposure to the business world and more professional opportunities.”
For more information or to get involved visit the website
Jenni Henderson, Strategy and Operations Director at Sterling Networks, a membership networking organisation in Worcester, said: “The scheme is a brilliant idea and we want to be involved because we work with the local business community and we feel it’s very important to bridge that gap between education and employment to help students understand what’s available out there for careers, business opportunities and entrepreneurship.”
Kelly White, Managing Director of Number Fifteen Legal, a specialist legal search firm based in Worcester, recruiting roles throughout the UK, said: “I think it’s incredibly important for the student population to recognise that there are huge opportunities in engaging with the business community in terms of future employment. However it should also be recognised that the students of today are the business leaders of tomorrow and we have a responsibility morally and ethically to support them. Employability skills are more important than ever.”
Sam Sinclair-Day, Head of Awesomeness at Sinclair Day Accountancy, based in Norton, said she could see where they might be able to offer opportunities to students on projects around AI and its use in their firm, while helping the students gain an understanding of the practicalities of running a business. She added: “It’s really important for businesses to give something back. I think it’s a good idea to bring business in. It’s no good for businesses to stand back and complain that we’re not getting the right people coming through. We’re offered an opportunity to come in and help with that and I think that’s fantastic.”