The University of Ulster Careers/Employability Unit has won a UK-wide Employer Engagement Award for its work with local employers.

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Awards recognise innovation and excellence in university careers work, and by bestowing this presitigious award, have endorsed Ulster’s excellence in the field of graduate internships and work-based learning.

A key feature recognised by this award is Ulster’s involvement in the Santander Universities Global Division-led initiative that encourages local SMEs to employ recent Ulster graduates for a three-month paid internship with half of the bursary paid to the students covered by Santander.

This year, Ulster filled all 13 graduate internship opportunities, across different sectors, with Santander Universities SME scheme.

Following on from the three-month internships, a number of participating graduates were offered longer-term roles with their internship employers.

Such was the quality of the Ulster interns that Santander have increased Ulster’s allocation to 35 internships for 2013/14.

University of Ulster Careers Development Consultant, Brian Byers said: “This initiative gives local SMEs an attractive mechanism to recruit Ulster graduates and our success has demonstrated both the appetite from local SMEs and the talent pool coming out of Ulster and the role our graduates can play in helping local SMEs grow’’

Luis Juste, Director Santander Universities UK, added: “At Santander Universities we are extremely proud of what we have achieved through our agreement with the University of Ulster.

“The internship scheme stands out for the impact it has in the whole community benefiting not only the students but also the SMEs and the University.

“This year we will be almost trebling the number of internships allocated and I look forward to hearing the feedback from these new interns.”

Further information for employers and graduates can be obtained by contacting Brian Byers, Career Development Consultant, Tel 028 90368422. Email: b.byers@ulster.ac.uk

University of Ulster, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Teaching & Learning), Professor Denise McAlister; Employability & Marketing Director, Damian McGivern; Work Experience Development Manager, Seamus McConomy and Careers Development Consultant, Brian Byers

Notes to editors:

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) is the professional body for careers and employability professionals working withhigher educationstudents and graduates and prospective entrants to higher education.