Step Placement Programme Joanna Mills Employer Liaison Officer Careers and Employment Centre

1. Step Placement Programme Joanna Mills Employer Liaison Officer Careers and Employment Centre

2. Step is a work experience programme for graduates and undergraduates who have studied or are studying for a degree in any discipline. We offer first class placement opportunities in businesses across the West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

3. Graduates are looking for meaningful opportunities and the chance to prove themselves in a dynamic workplace - ideally in an environment where in time they can make a real difference and be fairly rewarded for hard work and showing initiative.

4. Examples of placements: • 8-12 weeks over the summer vacation for undergraduates • 8 - 24 weeks for graduate tax-free placements • 25 - 44 week placements for graduates (taxed) • Other flexible options available

5. ‘The most cost-effective and risk-free way to attract first class talent to your organisation or team’ Fully managed service • Marketing/Advertising • Initial shortlisting • Arranging interviews • Payroll service

6. STEP has proved to be an ideal opportunity to gain credible work experience to add to a CV. Almost all of our graduates placed through the programme have successfully secured further employment at the company they were placed with, many in permanent roles.

7. Benefits to Companies New ideas and perspectives • Interns provide new ideas into the company Increased productivity/low financial risk • Interns can assist with completion of tasks – providing the company with assistance in meeting deadlines • a dedicated resource to complete key business projects, while not adding to your permanent headcount, no long-term financial staff commitment Enhance leadership and supervisory skills • Through the mentoring of interns, your own staff further develop their management capability. Promoting business relationships • sell themselves as a quality place for students to begin their careers • enhance your organisation’s profile by working in partnership • networking

8. Why employ a University of Wolverhampton Graduate?

9. The University is a place of knowledge, innovation and enterprise. They underpin our strategies in learning, teaching and research, and help us to engage with the business world. This prepares graduates to play a vital role in the region's economic and cultural development.

10. Preparation for the world of work Our graduates are able to demonstrate to prospective employers that they are innovative and enterprising coupled with an ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to changing circumstances. Students have the opportunity to engage in the following: - Active Volunteering programme; work for the local community and show employers how adaptable and flexible you can be with your free time - The SPEED programme; for students creating a business, they can access staff expertise to help develop a business idea in a safe and secure business environment - Become a mentor; demonstrate potential communication and leadership skills by becoming a mentor to local and International Students. - work as a student ambassador for example at Open Days

11. Value to students/graduates • Valuable range of work experience • Time Management skills • Communication skills • Leadership skills • Ongoing CPD experience – mentoring • Build confidence • Experience professional relationships • Business and Enterprise skills • Career Development

12. Case Study 1 – the value of our graduates Company: ExtraMile Communications Graduate: Matthew Preston, BA (Hons) Graphic Comminication Placement: 24 weeks The company are a digital marketing agency. A marketing strategist analysed their business and found a gaping hole. The business lacked one thing. Creativity! They felt a graduate would be ideal for this post and the STEP scheme operated very quickly to fill the role. Why a Graduate? Why the Step Scheme?

13. “Bringing youth to the team was a benefit as the team is predominantly more mature. The STEP advert is directed at the people with the right skills so you are likely to be successful in filling a role effectively to meet outcomes. This is a ‘try before you buy’ scheme, so if it works out and you want to employ the candidate, then seeing their work up front is a huge asset.” The Result “Our graduate, Matt, has brought in a totally different dimension to the one we were operating in previously. The business has improved with this extra skill set. Because Matt is a natural designer, the work he does is by far quicker and better than anything we could have produced We have seen an increase in business, due to word of mouth marketing.” GabrielleHadley, ExtraMile Communications

14. Matthew's experience I couldn’t tell you how much I’ve learned from only being with the company for six months – it seems a lot in such a short space of time. The main focus of my role was to get to grips with a Content Management System, which we incorporate into all of our websites, for optimum accessibility and client usability. I used my design skills alongside this to create a perfect user experience. I also feel as if I’ve added a new dimension to the company. They’re now getting in branding / design / print marketing work, which they were not able to produce before I came along, so not only are ExtraMile an online marketing company, but we can now provide the full suite for clients’ promotional strategies. I’d truly recommend the STEP scheme to any student unsure of what to do next. Whilst it gives you experience in the real world and lots of valuable knowledge, it also gives you a chance to earn your way so that you’re able to live and reap the benefits come the end of the contract, when hopefully you will be taken on in a permanent role, just as I was.

15. . Company: University of Wolverhampton Innovation 1st Project Graduate: Maninder Sembhi Degree: BSc (Hons) Information Technology

16. Any questions?