Coventry University is lending a helping hand to students worried about being saddled with a huge debt when they graduate after launching its own commercial recruitment agency. A recent survey found that a third of Britainís students work part-time during term time and thefutureworks is matching undergraduates with local employers eager to tap into the Universityís 14,000-student talent pool. Based on the Universityís main campus, thefutureworks also recruits for graduates looking for their first job, senior level opportunities for its postgraduates and the general public.
Almost 1,000 students are currently registered with the agency, run by the Universityís commercial arm Coventry University Enterprises, with 100 working up to 15 hours a week. ìWe see part-time work for students as an important factor in their development and, in turn, it will help them secure graduate employment,î Programmes manager Obi Okwuadigbo said. ìOur prime objective is to get students, graduates and postgraduates into the right positions, but also encourage them to stay in the region. Weíre driven by the studentís interests because, unlike other commercial agencies, our consultants arenít paid commission and any surplus revenue gets directed back into the University.î
Second year marketing management student Victoria Collins was one of the first to find part-time work through thefutureworks. The 20 year old is an administration assistant at education charity Young Enterprise West Midlands. ìI was absolutely broke and looking for a job that would fit in around my studies,î she said. ìI had registered online with a number of High Street agencies but then I found out about thefutureworks. I gave them a call, was invited for an interview and got put forward for the position at Young Enterprise with several other candidates. I was offered a job just over a week after registering.î Victoria works 18 hours a week at the charityís regional headquarters, based at Coventry Universityís Technology Park. ìMore and more students are taking on part-time work to make ends meet,î she said. ìI earn about 100 a week after tax, which compliments my student loan and takes the pressure off financially.î
It also bodes well for employers looking for quality candidates. A poll by the Association of Graduate Recruiters found that firms expect their vacancies to increase by up to 15 per cent this year. However, half of employers said they did not expect to fill them all because applicants lacked the necessary skills. ìThe good thing about thefutureworks is they do look to place students in roles that are relevant to their degree,î Victoria said. ìEmployers are looking for experience, not just qualifications, and Iím getting to practice what Iím learning in the lecture theatre.î
Young Enterprise West Midlandsí chief executive Mark Ashworth said he was extremely impressed by thefutureworks. ìThis is a win-win situation for everybody,î he explained. ìThe student is getting gainful employment, while weíre getting a top-quality candidate who is motivated and highly flexible. The efficiency of the service, and the cost, means we will definitely use thefutureworks to recruit more students in the coming months.î
To register with thefutureworks, please contact Obi Okwuadigbo or Anita Roden on 024 679 5273, email jobs@thefutureworks.org.uk or visit
New recruitment agency just the job for work-hungry students
Coventry University is lending a helping hand to students worried about being saddled with a huge debt when they graduate after launching its own commercial recruitment agency
