Despite the turmoil of 2020, student employers and everyone who supports and supplies our sector have proven their ability to push the boundaries, sparking innovation and excellence.

This is no better demonstrated than by the work of our ISE Awards 2020 finalists.

Winners were announced during a virtual awards ceremony yesterday afternoon (9 December 2020). Hosted by ISE chief executive Stephen Isherwood, he explained:

“It will come as no surprise that in light of the pandemic we decided to go ahead with a virtual awards ceremony this year. This reflects the commitment we’ve seen among many employers, educators and suppliers to continue to invest in student recruitment and development despite the challenges they’ve faced.”

There are 14 categories with employers, universities and industry suppliers commended for their work in student marketing, recruitment, development, education collaboration and campaign strategy.

The ceremony culminated with the highly anticipated ISE Awards for overall strategy.

Best School Leaver/Apprenticeship Strategy went to PwC. Judges felt that this submission “presented a massive and genuine effort to move the needle on social mobility. The substantiveness and variety of outreach strategies and channels was a standout, as were the results.

“The winner’s initiative was clearly backed by the business and embedded into the long-term strategy with clear goals and vision that the company is trying to achieve.”

Best Overall Emerging Talent Strategy was awarded to M&S supported by AIA Worldwide, which outlined a clear strategy right across attraction, selection and development.

Judges commented that, “it was a comprehensive and innovative overall application with a vision that was clearly based on the challenges and issues being faced during a planned period of strategic change for the business.

“The submission demonstrated innovative ways of attracting and engaging, presented clear development activities as well as impressive support from stakeholder groups and further impact on the business.”

ISE Awards winners 2020

MARKETING

Best Single Purpose Attraction Activation: Lloyds Banking Group
Innovation in Attraction: BP supported by The Smarty Train
Best Attraction Campaign: Unlocked supported by SMRS

RECRUITMENT

Best Assessment and Selection Process: Accenture (Winner) and PwC supported by Amberjack (Highly Commended)
Commitment to Improving Diversity through Student Resourcing: Clyde & Co LLP
Best Work Experience, Internship or Placement Programme: Clyde & Co LLP
Outstanding Employer and Supplier Recruitment Partnership: Accenture in partnership with Headstart

EDUCATION

Outstanding University Partnership with an Employer and/or Supplier: HSBC and Aston University
Best University & Employer Engagement Strategy: Lancaster University

DEVELOPMENT

Best Graduate Onboarding and Induction Activities Programme: Vets4Pets
Best School Leaver and/or Apprentice Development Programme: PwC
Outstanding Employer and Supplier Development Partnership: RWEST in partnership with Development Beyond Learning (DBL)

Thank-you to our awards sponsors for all their support.