University of Bedfordshire Attracts Top Recruiters

This week’s guest blog reviews what’s happening in recruitment at one of our local universities.

The Careers & Employability Service (CES) at the University of Bedfordshire marked the graduate scheme application season with a noteworthy succession of on-campus employer events. The University welcomed both national and international companies onto the university premises, including Hertfordshire Police, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car (ERAC),Clifford Chance and IBM, who delivered sessions aimed at final year students interested in their graduate schemes.

In total, over 200 students and graduates could hear about graduate programmes first-hand from the company representatives. Guest speakers had the opportunity not only to promote their recruitment schemes but also meet and have discussions with some of the high-flying students and graduates.

The representatives from Hertfordshire Police, ERAC, Clifford Chance and IBM have expressed their interest in developing closer relationships with the University in the future, and highlighted the good turnout rate and pro-active student participation during the sessions.

Cathy Hyde, the Head of the Careers & Employability Service, is keen to develop strong and lasting links with future employers: “Sound understanding of the needs of employers is key in preparing our students to be successful employees in the future job market. The fast-changing business environment requires proactive and practical ways of exchanging knowledge between us and our business partners.”

Recruitment Services Manager Priya Chauhan highlights the need for new approaches in recruitment: “Our services aim to come up with innovative ways to engage both employers and students, and provide opportunities for mutually beneficial future collaboration.”

In addition to the more traditional services for employers such as free vacancy advertising, placement programmes, and on campus presentations, CES are open to developing initiatives for building closer links with the university.

Recently, as a result of working closely with ERAC and the Students’ Union, the university hosted a very successful Pub Quiz night with over 60 students attending and answering questions on employability and ERAC in an informal and relaxing environment. “This was a wonderful opportunity to capture a new audience of students,” the Recruitment Services Manager added. “We are always keen to discuss new ideas and suggestions from both students and our business partners.”

If you are looking to recruit fresh talent or new ways to engage with higher education, please contact CES to discuss your opportunities and ideas with a dedicated member of our team:

Visit our award winning website http://www.beds.ac.uk/studentlife/careers/employ-a-student/recruit.

W: Recruit@beds.ac.uk
T: 01582 489293