B-Hive, the innovative graduate recruitment initiative for the West Midlands, is today launching details of its 2011 program on Tuesday 22nd November.
B-Hive is the brainchild of Pitch Consultants, specialist recruiters for the creative industries, who are partnering on the project with Business Birmingham, the city’s official inward investment programme.
The initiative is a first class example of Birmingham businesses working together in order to showcase the city as a true creative hub, home to countless fantastic agencies and brands that have made their blueprint on the city.
B-Hive, which sees students compete for rare industry placements at top Midlands firms, aims to highlight the employment opportunities for graduates within Birmingham’s burgeoning creative industries sector in a bid to improve the city’s graduate retention figures. The competition process requires students to pitch their responses to the brief in a Dragons’ Den style interview session to top industry professionals.
The launch event will see the cream of the city’s creative community come together at the Custard Factory’s newest addition, the Zellig, a pioneering hub for innovation and creativity, along with students from across Birmingham’s five higher education institutions – Aston University, Birmingham City University, Birmingham Metropolitan College, University College Birmingham and University of Birmingham.
Business Birmingham, the city’s inward investment programme, is working in collaboration with Pitch Consultants to promote Birmingham as a city of business opportunity through the B-Hive project.
Neil Rami, Head of Business Birmingham, said,
“Business Birmingham is working alongside partners to ensure we retain and attract graduate talent and encourage students to stay on in Birmingham to develop their career. The creative industries are one of Birmingham’s most innovative and exciting sectors, which we have identified as a key target for further investment.
Enterprise hubs such as The Custard Factory and Fazeley Studios are currently thriving, providing the perfect environment for creative start ups and entrepreneurial businesses. Our aim is to promote Birmingham as a successful business location, which offers a vibrant lifestyle choice.”
2010 was the worst ever year on record for graduate recruitment. It is predicted that 2011 will be equally challenging for students trying to get their foot on the career ladder.
Following the success of the 2010 campaign B-Hive returns with 30 paid placements, a total of 120 weeks work experience, up from 23 paid placements last year. Five entry categories, increased from four, are in place for the 2011 competition which are marketing, PR, advertising, graphic design and web design. Some of the businesses lending support and offering paid placements in 2011 are Marketing Birmingham, Cogent Elliot, KLM, Golley Slater, McCann Erikson, Seal Communications and One Black Bear amongst others.
Since the launch of B-Hive in 2009 the initiative has seen many of its placement winners go on to secure permanent positions in the creative industries. Five B-Hive finalists who were in their final year of university education have gained permanent positions as a direct result of their B-Hive experience whilst many others have received interest from leading creative companies. With even more businesses on board in 2011 it is hoped B-Hive will lead to an increased number of permanent jobs being created for winners of the competition.
Ollie Purdom, Director of Pitch Consultants who has over eight years experience recruiting within the creative sector said,
“A challenging economic climate has led to increased competition across job markets. Employers are looking for a track record of experience and work experience placements are now more important than ever in helping graduates showcase the qualities they can bring to companies. The B-Hive initiative enables students to stand out from the crowd and gives creative companies the access to the best graduate talent in the city.”