An example of a successful business networking event at the University earlier this year

Businesses looking to employ the best in their industry have the perfect chance to do so thanks to a new Plymouth University recruitment brochure.

'Attracting the Brightest Talent', put together by the University’s Careers & Employability Service, lists the dozens of ways in which employers from a wide range of services can engage with Plymouth students, graduates and academics both on and off campus.

From networking events to skills sessions, the brochure details cost-effective alternatives to traditional direct recruitment routes, as well as ways in which businesses can help students to gain the necessary skills and experience to excel in their chosen field. 

The 20 page publication is available online and through the Careers & Employability Service who can be contacted on +44 (0)1752 587729.

Shirley Walker, Head of Careers & Employability at the University, said being involved with the institution was invaluable for employers and hoped local, national and international companies would get on board. She said:

"Plymouth University is a truly innovative university, seeking to maximise opportunities through partnership with business, communities and research. By working with us, employers can raise the profile of their business, promote their graduate opportunities, and more importantly help students to understand what their requirements are when they go out to recruit. In an increasingly competitive graduate market, it is important to identify and target talent at an early stage and not just to focus on final year students. Our varied programme can help employers to target, build and maintain regular relationships with our academic staff and undergraduates. This means that when it comes to recruitment, the employer already knows and has worked with some of our students and so is easily able to recruit high-quality graduates who really know their business and understand its needs and requirements."
She added: "Because we have our own recruitment agency, we’re also able to help our students and graduates find placements, internships, part-time work and graduate jobs, which means we’re supporting local businesses and helping to inject new talent and fresh ideas into the economy. Over 26,000 students study with Plymouth, making us the largest university in the South West, so please pick up a copy of Attracting the Brightest Talent, then get in touch with our dedicated and experienced team, who will work with you and find out what service best suits your need.”

One of the businesses already benefiting from Plymouth University’s Careers & Employability Service is Babcock International Group, which has taken part in many events including careers fairs and practice interviews.

Victoria Large, Learning and Development Advisor at Babcock, endorsed the brochure and said: 

“Partnering in this way has helped us to promote many of our career opportunities to the students of Plymouth University and we have been able to offer nine students a place on our 2015 graduate scheme. We find the calibre of graduates from Plymouth to be of a high standard and to be very well-rounded individuals. We would not hesitate to recommend Plymouth University to other employers in the area.”