Bath Spa University graduate placement schemes working wonders for students

The University has seen a substantial increase in the number of placement schemes including the continuation of the highly successful Parragon Books placement scheme.

Over two thirds of the University’s undergraduate awards provide students with the opportunity of a placement or work-based learning module. Placements can range from a month to a year in industry and are flexible and responsive to the needs of the employers.

There has been around a 300 per cent increase in the number of students opting to take the University’s work placement module since the 2011/12 academic year.

One of the most successful programmes has been the Parragon Graduate scheme. This three month paid internship for graduating publishing students, at international publisher Parragon Books in Bath, provides a fantastic opportunity for them to experience a real working environment.

Head of HR at Parragon Books, Claire Williams, explained: “The scheme is designed to prepare graduates for the world of work and to build up local relationships within the community. It aims to integrate students into the workplace, encouraging the appropriate attitudes, responsibilities and commitments which are all vital in the work place.

“We try to make the whole experience for graduates as professional as possible where they will go through the whole recruitment process including professional interviews and feedback as well as the full induction process when they join the business.

“So far the placement scheme has been a great success. We have had some really fantastic graduates join the business, some of which have gone on to secure permanent roles and for others, it has provided a great stepping stone into the industry they want to work in.”

Parragon Graduate Placement Scheme from Parragon Books on Vimeo.

Acting Head of Department for Creative Writing and Publishing, Katharine Reeve, said: “Parragon has been amazing through this whole process and thought carefully about the quality of the experience. Students have taken editorial assistant and licensing roles and the feedback has been extremely positive on both sides. Those taking the placement have either been offered jobs within Parragon or elsewhere. We are delighted to be working with them.”  

The importance for students to gain high quality work experience is continually being highlighted and reflected in employer and student surveys. Results from the most recent High Fliers research warned that graduates without work experience will struggle to get jobs no matter how good their grades.

The University last year established a dedicated placements team which, in partnership with its employer liaison team, is supporting more students and local business than ever before in seeking and developing new placement opportunities.

Employers who offer placement schemes benefit from highly-motivated university students who bring fresh ideas and new energy to the workplace.

With over 1,500 Bath Spa students on placement in a range of businesses, schools and other settings, Head of Enterprise & Local Partnerships at the University, Adam Powell, added: “Placements and industry-led projects are an essential part of degree programmes today not only for the skills, knowledge and networks developed, but to gain an understanding of how formal and informal recruitment works.”

Businesses interested in discussing potential placement opportunities or industry projects should contact Dorothy James or Jamie Bradbury by emailing placements@bathspa.ac.uk