Graduate Retention & Entrepreneurship Danielle Stickley Blackpool Fringe Project Matthew Kay K Dimension David Bagley Head of Student Employability and Enterprise University of Central Lancashire

Presentation Outline Overview of two ERDF projects –Graduate Retention –Graduate Entrepreneurship Examples of work undertaken Update on progress to date Case studies –Matthew Kay (Graduate Retention) –Danielle Stickley (Graduate Entrepreneurship)

1) Graduate Retention ‘UNITE’: a collaboration between UCLan, Lancaster University, University of Chester and University of Cumbria Support SME’s by placing a graduate in the business to undertake a defined specific business task, e.g write a communications plan, set up a website.

2) Graduate Entrepreneurship Supporting graduates in the very early stages of business start up. Providing hands on assistance including business mentoring and advice. Specialist sessions available: business planning, financial management, marketing sales forecasting etc. Different ways of working e.g. hot desks / business units in UCLan’s Media Factory

Progress to Date Graduate Retention: 212 SMEs assisted 11 new jobs created £671,000 (£0.671 million) increased sales £856,000 (0.856 million) sales safeguarded Graduate Entrepreneurship 80 new start up companies assisted 133 clients registered

What do the SMEs say? Graduate Retention “This is a great service UCLan is offering, we receive enthusiasm, knowledge and extra resources. In return we provide genuine experience” Richard Slater, Slater PR Graduate Entrepreneurship “The programme provides a uniquely supportive environment for new businesses. The facilities and support services offered have really helped me during the launch of my new business.” - Rick Flemming, The Word Bureau

Matthew Kay K Dimension Ltd

Matt Kay Visual Designer | K Dimension Ltd ‘Working with the UNITE project’ 04 March 08 Regional Action Plan Reebok Stadium, Bolton

K Dimension Ltd work for large branding companies

We visualise new brand packaging concepts

All our freelancers are London based Avoid high risk using unknown freelancers We needed a low risk introductory period Relevant university training Why did we need to contact UNITE

Initial concept stage visuals - by Isona Ten

Stage 1 brand guideline visuals - by Isona Ten

A useful junior freelancer locally based A wealth of research material Finalised stage one concept designs Enough development for our team to take the project to the next level for production What did we get at the end of the scheme?

Danielle Stickley

Further Information Northern Lights Media Factory University of Central Lancashire Preston PR1 2HE Tel