Coventry University has launched its own commercial recruitment agency, which matches undergraduates with local employers eager to tap into the university’s 14,000-student talent pool.
The agency, called Thefutureworks, also recruits for graduates looking for their first job and senior-level opportunities for postgraduates, as well as jobs for the general public.
Almost 1,000 students are registered with the agency, which is run by the university’s commercial arm, Coventry University Enterprises.
Obi Okwuadigbo, programmes manager at Thefutureworks, said: “We see part-time work for students as an important factor in their development. In turn, it will help them secure graduate employment.”
The service has been welcomed by employers, which often struggle to recruit quality graduates. Earlier this year, a poll by the Association of Graduate Recruiters found that while organisations expect their vacancies to rise by up to 15% this year, many did not expect to fill them all because graduate applicants lacked the right skills.
Mark Ashworth, chief executive of local education charity Young Enterprise West Midlands, said: “This is a win-win situation for everybody. The student is getting gainful employment, while we’re getting a top-quality candidate who is motivated and highly flexible.”
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