Implemented by
Aston University
Careers+ Placements
Target Groups
Year 2 Students.
What is it?
Talent Bank is a placement matching service which targets students who have disengaged from the ‘standard’ work placement process. It offers tailored support to help students re-engage to secure yearlong placements in the UK or overseas. The personal approach of the service helps supports the identification of barriers that students may have in undertaking work experience and finds ways to overcome them.
The service was offered to select employers who aimed to recruit students for placement opportunities. Employer support was provided during the recruitment process by shortlisting applications, arranging interviews (on and off campus) and by re-advertising roles if unsuccessful in the first recruitment round.
A range of support mechanisms and interventions have been offered to participating target group students to better prepare them in securing a placement opportunity through the scheme, and to drive engagement. Such interventions included:
- A series of tailored events and workshops to publicise Talent Bank and the importance of undertaking a placement
- One-to-one information, advice and guidance appointments and CV surgeries
- Mock interviews
Methods used to target students from the desired subject groups included promotion via personalised emails, lecture shout-outs and a telephone calling campaign.
Rationale
Talent Bank is a focused resource which allows specific attention to be given to those students who are disengaged or require additional support mechanisms to enable access to placement opportunities.
Student Contact Time
Placement preparation/student support sessions: Optional 1 hour sessions.
Key Process Considerations
- Comprehensive on-placement support should be provided by the institution’s placement team, offering specialist guidance and support where required.
- Ensuring robust account management with open dialogue is essential in managing relationships with employers.
- Opportunities should ideally be in priority sector areas (identified via Supply and Demand meetings, key companies/relationships).
- Placement opportunities will usually be paid (with some exceptions, e.g. NHS).
- Ensuring the application process is relatively straight forward in the first instance (CV/CV and cover letter).
Employer Input
- Employers should provide full details of any positions/opportunities available so they can be advertised to students.
Student/ Alumni Input
- Students are required to prepare well for interviews, research employers and attend any relevant training prior to and during the placement.
Academic Input
- Academics should help drive student engagement and promote opportunities.
- Academics should utilise useful contacts with employers to maximise student opportunities.
Key Resource Considerations
- Staff time is a key resource consideration, and is required for activities such as identifying opportunities with employers, promoting talent bank to targeted students, maintaining records and supporting students with applications by providing them with tailored feedback.
- Institutional/academic buy-in is critical to project success.
What is the evidence base?
- Higher than average engagement across all three target student groups.
- Large number of students stated that they were very likely/likely to apply for placement opportunities (108).
- Large proportion of students were confident they had the skills needed to complete placements (86).
Key Challenges
- Challenges associated with student engagement.
- Need for basic skills development amongst some students (e.g. grammar, punctuation).
- Professionalism and business etiquette lacking among some applicants.
- Lack of preparation for interviews was a common issue.
Associated Resources
N/A
Contact Details
- talentbank@aston.ac.uk
- employerteam@aston.ac.uk