Partnering with enterprise agencies to support graduate placements

Outline of workshop Brief introduction to ScotGrad – what it is, who’s involved AGCAS’ role in programme Regional approach – how we make that work Behind the scenes of the partnership Guiding principles Balancing different agendas Group(s) discussion Future learning needs

Scotgrad partners

Any company can use ScotGrad’s services, but they need to be working with SE or HIE to be eligible for funding. Focus from their side is business growth projects, it’s not about regular recruitment. Projects are identified with Account Managers who then pass them on to ScotGrad team in enterprise agencies. Totals: 1,561 placements (610 as TalentScotland, 911 as ScotGrad) in 900 companies ((400+ as TalentScotland, 500+ as ScotGrad). Figure includes 138 student placements in 76 companies, primarily life science sector through SLSIP.

AGCAS’ role Theory: Responsible alongside SE and HIE for “overall strategic direction of the programme including determining KPIs; delivery of programme objectives; day to day management of programme and reporting” Practice: Employ Graduate Recruitment Manager (shared between AGCAS and AGCAS Scotland) Attend Advisory Group meetings Represent AGCAS’ interests (student focus) Disseminate info to AGCAS Scotland Management Group Original MOU presented an overview of agreed priorities over the next three years and the responsibilities of each party for ensuring delivery of the Programme. Advisory Group meetings – chaired by SE/HIE, only happen x2 p.a. – focus on reporting back

Regional approach Programme Manager’s (Graduate Engagement) outreach work Uploading vacancies to all university portals (incl. SVS) Weekly Powerpoint Careers Fairs Careers Service visits Case studies shared with relevant universities Social media activity Cross promotion of services Referrals Verbal endorsements Provision of quotes and statistics AGCAS Scotland Management Group Scottish Life Sciences Internships Programme Mutually beneficial relationship between ScotGrad and Careers Services – cross promote each others’ services (e.g. standard text included in emails to student applicants – successful and unsuccessful – recommend that they use their CS) SLSIP – CS awareness raising, preparing student applicants (group and 1-2-1 sessions),

Behind the scenes Operational teams based in: Scottish Enterprise (Glasgow) – 2 staff Highlands and Islands Enterprise (Inverness) – 3 staff AGCAS post based in AGCAS Scotland Service, funded by Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland Contract negotiated every 3 years Staff salary & on costs Training and travel expenses for staff member Marketing budget Administration cost for AGCAS office (payroll and finance) Hosting fee for AGCAS Scotland Service Financial scrutiny, multiple auditors

In an ideal world… Have clear strategy for each partner’s involvement Aims and objectives for each partner Be explicit about support each provides, financial and in-kind Identify how this will be evaluated Be transparent – document and share everything Design simple processes (finance, timescales, communication layers) Review basics regularly Documenting particularly important as shared between AGCAS Scotland services (3 hosts so far). Need guiding principles for involvement to help with decision making, particularly where there is conflict

Balancing different agendas Business growth ‘versus’ graduate employability Graduate training course Demonstrating impact on businesses Sleeping partners Right hand…left hand in large organisations

Over to you… What unique value can AGCAS/Careers Service’s bring to a partnership and how do you evidence the value of this?