As the number of graduates hitting the jobs market continues to increase, one company is leading the way in helping students boost their chances of finding work.
GCS Recruitment Specialists has teamed up with Henley Business School at the University of Reading, to create a teaching case study aimed at providing a valuable insight into the skills that employers are looking for.
In a specially-designed set of materials, which includes background information for students, teaching notes and video clips, GCS managing director Chris Bartlett is seen talking about the way the company works, some of the challenges it has faced, and how staff motivation and reward is key to its success. In addition, in a ‘what happened next’ style scenario, students are asked to come up with their own solution to a difficult real life staff retention situation that the company faced.
Dr Zella King, who conceived the idea to help her class of third year undergraduate human resources students, said: “Our HR course covers the topic of recruitment and, with the students about to go out into a very difficult labour market, this case study provides a brilliant way to ensure they are better informed and better equipped to know what companies are looking for.
“GCS has a very good HR strategy and Chris has been able to give them a realistic insight into both the business itself and into the nature of people management, which is extremely valuable.”
And, in a boost to the University’s reputation for developing innovative teaching solutions, the case study materials will also be available online for tutors across both the UK and Europe to use as part of their own curriculum programmes.
Bartlett is proud of the fact that GCS regularly looks to the graduate market to recruit new team members – taking on nine graduates this year alone – and says he sees his involvement with the course as helping to develop the next generation of talent.
“We have an excellent relationship with the University, they do a tremendous job with students and, as a local company which is always looking to recruit passionate and enthusiastic new staff, it’s a great way for us to become involved,” said Bartlett, who has also lectured on the HR course in the past. “We have also benefited from the University’s SEED program, which pairs up students with local businesses over the summer holidays”
He has also welcomed the news that the Henley MBA will have a specialist pathway designed specifically for the recruitment industry starting next September. The initiative has been led by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), the UK’s leading professional recruitment industry body, of which GCS has been a member for over 10 years. The programme will be delivered by flexible learning and will have additional workshops involving leaders from the sector combined with Henley expertise in HR.
In the last two decades, GCS has transformed itself from a regional IT recruitment agency into a major international business with a £25 million-plus turnover and now employs over 70 staff between offices in Reading, London, Dublin and mainland Europe.