ISE’s webinar, hosted by Handshake in collaboration with Loughborough University London, explores how universities can forge meaningful relationships with employers through collaborative projects.

The Handshake webinar with Loughborough University London shared initiatives for connecting students with employers, including micro-internships and the flagship Collaborative Dissertation programme.

Our session, facilitated by Charles Hardy, Head of University Partnerships at Handshake, featured insights from Amy Pyle, Learning Partnerships Manager, and Dan Robinson, Future Space Projects Manager, both from Loughborough University London.

Building strong employer relationships

Amy Pyle highlighted the significance of establishing robust connections with employers.

Loughborough University London, with its exclusively postgraduate campus, has around 600 students, predominantly international. Amy mentioned, “Students often choose to study with us because they want access to industry connections”.

The university has developed a network of employers who participate in various programmes, from site visits to guest lectures, providing students with invaluable industry exposure.

Practical skill development through collaborative projects

Dan Robinson elaborated on the Future Space initiatives, which aim to enhance students’ practical skills through both curricular and extracurricular activities. He said, “We focus on skills development, such as teamwork and confidence in presenting, as well as professional skills like data analysis and coding”.

The Collaborative Dissertation programme, involving about 40 organisations this year, allows students to work on live projects, gaining hands-on experience that is directly applicable to their future careers.

Addressing student engagement challenges

Both Amy and Dan acknowledged the challenges of engaging students, especially given the short duration of their programmes. Amy noted, “We illustrate our strong relationships with employers early on, using them as a ‘carrot’ to help students engage from the start”.

The university’s approach includes mentoring schemes and micro-internships, which help students build professional networks and gain practical experience. Dan added, “We try to generate an ethos of learning and practice within a professional setting”.

Engaging employers in collaborative projects

Amy Pyle explained the process of involving employers in collaborative projects, emphasising the need for mutual benefits.

She said, “We give employers multiple touchpoints to see mutually beneficial outcomes. They might start with a panel event and then move on to more extensive commitments like modules. This flexibility allows employers to engage at a level that suits their capacity and interests, fostering long-term relationships.”

Leveraging Handshake for streamlined processes

The integration of the Handshake platform has significantly enhanced the efficiency of managing student-employer interactions. Amy highlighted, “Handshake has enabled us to streamline the collaborative dissertation process, automating much of the work and providing valuable analytics”.

This technological support allows for more effective tracking of student progress and employer engagement, ensuring a smooth and productive experience for all parties involved.

Conclusion

Our webinar sheds light on the innovative strategies employed by Loughborough University London to cultivate productive relationships with employers through collaborative projects.

As Amy Pyle and Dan Robinson highlighted, the key to success lies in robust employer relationships, early student engagement, and the effective use of technology like Handshake to streamline processes.

Charles Hardy encapsulated the essence of the session with one remark, “These are absolutely brilliant programmes in terms of getting work experience and plugging into developing skills in a practical way”.

This approach not only equips students with valuable skills but also strengthens their professional networks, preparing them for successful careers post-graduation.

For universities aiming to implement similar initiatives, the insights shared in our webinar provide a valuable blueprint. By fostering strong employer partnerships and leveraging technology, educational institutions can significantly enhance their students’ employability and readiness for the workforce.

Get in touch with Amy Pyle, Dan Robinson and Charles Hardy, or email Handshake at partnerships.eu@joinhandshake.com. Find out more about Handshake

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