An innovative scheme that awards points to University of Kent students as they demonstrate their skills and rewards them with work experience opportunities has received backing from leading employers.
Tesco, Coca Cola and Enterprise rent-a-car are among the 80 leading companies and organisations offering work experience, internships and skills development sessions as prizes to Kent students under the University’s Employability Points Scheme.
More than 2,000 students have taken part in the scheme, which was rolled out this year across the University following a successful pilot launch in 2011. It enables students to earn clubcard-style points for activities ranging from community volunteering and mentoring to participating in events and workshops.
Students receiving the most points under the scheme – which is thought to be unique in UK higher education – are then chosen by sponsoring employers for a range of work experience opportunities relevant to an individual’s skills.
Stephanie Barwick, the University’s Business Engagement Manager, said: ‘Our Employability Points Scheme is innovative in that it bridges the gap between offering students a way to enhance their own employability and providing employers with easy access to some of our most outstanding students.
‘The scheme is based on the world of work as it relies on competition and rewards those who really do put themselves above the rest. It is a win-win solution for both students and employers. We are delighted so many businesses and organisations have become involved in sponsoring prizes that include mainly paid work placements and internships as well as other work shadowing opportunities.’
Professor Alex Hughes, the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External), said: ‘The University of Kent is committed to ensuring that all its students graduate with the skills they’ll need to succeed in today’s challenging knowledge-based economy.
‘The fact that so many leading businesses and organisations support this scheme highlights the value employers place on our graduates.’
Nearly 300 students receiving the most points under the scheme will receive their prizes from the sponsoring employers at an awards evening at the University on Thursday 7 June. Other employers sponsoring prizes include Penguin Books, Skanska, the National Trust, the Royal Navy and Canterbury Cathedral Trust, as well as awards evening sponsor the Chaucer Group.