London First and recruitment consultancy FreshMinds Talent today launched a new scheme designed to introduce a diverse range of star students from London’s universities to leading graduate employers.
Leading London uses a student and tutor nominated survey to identify final year undergraduates with outstanding business potential.
Nominees are invited to apply and are subject to a selection process. The successful candidates will then have the opportunity to meet top employers including Credit Suisse, KPMG, Lloyds TSB and BT, as well as receiving CV advice and interview coaching from FreshMinds Talent.
The Leading London pilot scheme began at London Metropolitan University in January, with more than 150 outstanding prospects at the university identified.
This long list will be whittled down to just a few dozen of the best students in London. The scheme gives students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to make an impression on some of the UK’s leading employers as well as providing them with a network of like-minded and ambitious peers.
Leading London is already active on campus at London Metropolitan University, represented at the Student Activities Fair and Get Ahead Conference as well as through a series of CV and job application workshops, open to all students.
Subject to the success of the pilot, plans are in place to roll the scheme out in other post-1992 universities across London in 2010.
The scheme has also earned support from Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and an alumnus of London Metropolitan University.
Lord Bilimoria is a well-known role model for students from diverse backgrounds in the UK having become the first ever Parsi in the House of Lords in 2006.
He is an active stakeholder in education in the capital in his role as Chancellor of Thames Valley University.
Lord Bilimoria said “London is unparalleled in its diversity and our students are exceptional in their talent. I have always said that ‘inspiration leads to aspiration and aspiration leads to achievement’. Leading London provides a fantastic opportunity for the most inspirational students in the capital to excel as future leaders in the world of business.”
Baroness Jo Valentine, Chief Executive of London First said:
“Despite news of doom and gloom in the economy, Leading London provides a positive message to students about the opportunities available to them after graduating.”
