Employer partnership shortlisted for national award

A collaboration between the University of Essex’s Industry Engagement and Placements team and Essex County Council is up for a national award.

The partnership aims to offer students opportunities to enhance their workplace skills and includes an innovative work-based learning module hosted by the Department of Government.

The success of the collaboration has won it a place on the shortlist for the AGCAS Award for excellence in careers and employability service engagement 2024, sponsored by AGCAS (the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services).

The Award is part of the targetjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards. Voted for by careers and employability professionals, the award recognises those employers who provide outstanding support for higher education careers and employability services’ working with students and graduates.

The Challenge Project sees students from the Department of Government at Essex learn about the role of strategy, data analysis and data planning as part of a work-based module.

Each year, a number of selected students undertake research into issues identified by Essex County Council to help inform and aid strategy.

The students have been undertaking intensive mentorship with local government officials and have been attending full council meetings to better develop their understanding and ideas.

The findings made by the students at the end of each year are helping to inform Essex County Council’s own communications strategy, particularly for achieving net-zero by 2050.

The Industry Engagement and Placements team manager at Essex, Caterina Sinibaldi, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for an award celebrating the work we do with Essex County Council, as a key employer partner who has shown great commitment to our core mission of enhancing our students’ employability and improving graduate outcomes.”

Richard Puleston, Director of Policy at Essex County Council, said: “Essex County Council enjoys a very close working relationship with the University. We’re really proud to be a part of the successful Challenge Project, and happy to learn that our partnership has been nominated for this award.

“Over the years, we’ve had some fantastic candidates deliver some high-quality analysis. From financial well-being to climate change, they have uncovered new insights to help inform our policy responses. We’ve also been fortunate enough to find some outstanding analysts to join our analytics service over the same time.

“We look forward to continuing the programme for years to come.”

Professor Han Dorussen from the Department of Government said: “This collaboration with Essex County Council has given our students experience with real world policy making. It has also broadened their understanding and appreciation of the important work that is being done at local and regional level.”

Essex County Council also contributes to extra-curricular activities, such as careers fairs, and delivers workshops on interview skills, delivered by the Commissioner for Skills Development.#

The long-standing collaboration with the council, has had a positive impact on students’ careers confidence and employability skills, and supports the development and retention of local graduate talent.

The Council also hosts placement students, working as Policy and Strategy Interns, or undertaking placements in the Environment and Climate Action Communications team.

The winners of the AGCAS Award will be announced at the targetjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London on April 11.