Leading businesses turn to University for next generation of workers

LIFE after university was the focus of nearly one thousand students from Chichester when they met with employers in search of jobs after graduation.

More than 900 undergraduates and alumni of the University of Chichester joined 100 leading businesses from across the country to discuss their future prospects as part of its Recruitment and Careers Fair.

The event also encouraged the students to open a dialogue with the organisations – working within the charity, healthcare, digital, sports, and enterprise sectors – who advised on how to improve their chances of finding employment after finishing their degrees.

More than 95 per cent of students from the University have found employment or are undertaking postgraduate courses just six months after graduating, according to figures published by the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education.

That places Chichester in the top 25 institutions throughout England in terms of gaining employment or taking part in further study.

Head of Careers and Employability Chris Caswell, who organised the Recruitment and Careers Fair, said many of the exhibitors connected with the students by demonstrating how to maximise their employment opportunities.

He added: “The fair has been extremely successful not only as many of our students have found full and part-time work on graduating, but also because the organisations attending have found the next generation of highly-skilled workers.

“The range of exhibitors reflected the variety of students who graduate from Chichester, in terms of the subjects they study and what they are interested in doing, and it is great to see the event translate into employment opportunities.”

On a national scale, the number of jobs being offered to students graduating in 2015 has risen by more than nine per cent since last year, according to recent statistics from The Times national newspaper.

As part of the Recruitment and Careers Fair, businesses within West Sussex also connected with students at the University through its GraduateOn scheme, which helps undergraduates and alumni find employment opportunities throughout the region.

This included offering full and part-time graduate roles, as well as work experience, vacation and volunteering opportunities, and one-year placements.

Exhibitor Simon Devlin, who owns national franchise Become A Music Teacher, said: “I am extremely happy as we have recruited many of the hundreds of students we spoke with, and all of them were keen to get going after graduation.

“This was our first careers fair at Chichester, and the students who have signed up will provide a great deal of energy and enthusiasm.”

To find out more about taking part in the next Recruitment and Careers Fair at the University of Chichester visit www.chi.ac.uk/careers.

Businesses with graduate opportunities can find out more about the GraduateOn scheme at www.chi.ac.uk/graduateon.

Alternatively contact Head of Careers and Employability Chris Caswell at chris.caswell@chi.ac.uk.