Latest news from Loughborough University

28 Apr 2014

Graduate recruitment made easy

At this time of year, students all over the country are preparing for their finals and looking forward to a proud graduation day. Some will continue with postgraduate studies, but the majority will be hunting for that vital first graduate job.

Loughborough University’s Graduates in Business project – launched in January 2013 and funded by the ERDF – provides busy finalists and graduates with a straightforward and time-saving recruitment service which is absolutely free.

Catherine Allford, the scheme’s Project Manager, says: “Graduates in Business makes it easier for graduates to find exciting career opportunities in today’s competitive job market. We carefully match talented people with dynamic small to medium sized companies in the East Midlands. What’s more, we work with graduates from universities across the country, not just those from Loughborough.

“All the candidate has to do is complete our online application form once, and we do the rest – supporting them every step of the way with CV advice and guidance. By doing the leg work, we’re freeing up time for finalists to concentrate on their exams.

“To date, we have helped more than 40 graduates find work across the region in a range of sectors spanning general management, sales and marketing, finance and accounting, graphic design, software development, and engineering.”

At the same time, the scheme provides assistance to companies looking to employ graduates by offering a no-cost, tailored recruitment service together with grant funding to help meet some of the employment costs.

One company to have benefitted from the University’s support is Cenex.

Chris Walsh, the company’s Head of Technical Support and Consultancy says: “The recruitment process can be costly and time-consuming. Having a tailored service which provides us with a pre-screened shortlist of candidates – free of charge – really helps. We initially wanted help with a specific project, but Naytan has proved invaluable to the company. So, we’ve offered him an on-going role.”

Naytan Fijiwala – a Chemical Engineering graduate from UCL – is also delighted with the support he received from the Graduates in Business team.

He says: “Finding your first graduate job can be daunting. The Loughborough team really helped me to secure my role as a Technical Specialist with Cenex. I’ve gained valuable experience here, and am putting my degree to good use every day.”

If you would like to find out more about Graduates in Business and how we can help you boost your career – or your business – please visit www.lboro.ac.uk/graduatesinbusiness

Notes for editors

Article reference number: PR 14/78

About Loughborough University
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year title in 2008-09 and has been named Sports University of the Year 2013-14 by The Times and Sunday Times. Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

In 2015 the University will open an additional academic campus in London’s new innovation quarter. Loughborough University in London, based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will offer postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.

About the European Regional Development Fund in the East Midlands
Graduates in Business (www.lboro.ac.uk/graduatesinbusiness) is part financed by the Structural Funds for the East Midlands Region of the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information, please visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

Cenex
Established in 2005, Loughborough-based Cenex is an independent not-for-profit consultancy specialising in the delivery of projects, supporting innovation and market development, focused on low carbon vehicles and associated energy infrastructure.

Contact for all media enquiries

Paula Hamill
Marketing Officer (Enterprise)
Loughborough University
T: 01509 228684
E: P.Hamill@lboro.ac.uk