1. Partnering with enterprise agencies to support graduate placements

2. 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

3. Scotgrad partners

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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 s to student applicants – successful and unsuccessful – recommend that they use their CS)
SLSIP – CS awareness raising, preparing student applicants (group and sessions),

7. 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

8. 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

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

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