SI-DRIVE partner Brunel University London (UBRUN) implements the socially innovative ‘Business Life’ programme. Its main focus is to develop well-rounded graduates, who have the relevant academic qualifications and in-demand graduate employability skills. While a university degree provides young people with conceptual knowledge and qualifications, but applied and interpersonal skills required in a commercial / industry setting are difficult to embed in a three-year degree course. Business Life is a unique and innovative graduate skills development initiative that is run with the help of industry experts, professional training institutes, academic staff and their professional networks. Training workshops are run in parallel to academic studies, and are divided into foundation, recognition and application stages to mirror a three year undergraduate degree. The qualifications delivered through the training workshops include applied skills such as project management, SAGE accounting, European Computer Driving Licence, Big Data Analytics, and interpersonal skills such as Leadership, Team working and Networking. Most of the expert trainers volunteer to offer their time for free, as a part of their corporate social responsibility.

The university is planning to extend the Business Life programme for alumni and recent graduates, who are unemployed through a special set of workshops that are focused on boosting the employment prospects of the participants. Students are encouraged to become Business Life ambassadors by getting involved in project managing events and workshops, and thus putting into practice what they learn in Business Life and further developing their leadership, communication, project management and mentoring skills and sense of social responsibility.

To find out more, visit http://www.brunel.ac.uk/bbs/employability