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Employer mentoring scheme gives students the chance to develop essential ‘business skills’

Posted: 20 Jun 2008

Anglia Ruskin University's annual Mentoring Awards ceremony has taken place at the University's East Road campus in Cambridge to mark the successful conclusion of the 2007-2008 Scheme

During the celebratory event, the participating students and their employer mentors received certificates from the Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Mike Dixon, to acknowledge their contribution to the scheme which has seen them working together in a mentoring relationship for a period of six months.

Employers nationally identify the lack of business awareness among graduates as being a significant barrier to progress. Addressing this key concern, Anglia Ruskin University’s Employer Mentoring Scheme has been developed as a targeted program, giving individual students support and mentoring from a graduate or professional from local organisations. On a one-to-one basis, these mentors are invaluable in encouraging and helping the coming generation of our graduates to understand, evaluate and enhance their personal skills and business awareness.

The region’s participating employers include Cambridge Building Society, PI Consulting, Motorola, Eversheds and online security firm nCipher, Cambridge Consultants, East Cambs District Council, Cambridge City Council, Cambridge Constabulary, Stagecoach and a range of other organisations including Addenbrookes and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

All participants benefit at the outset from a free Anglia Ruskin University introductory training session. More importantly, the mentoring experience and the University’s ongoing support develops the skills of participating staff, providing them with a valuable developmental opportunity. The scheme is highly regarded within the sector and has Home Office recognition.

In the words of Hamish Cameron from nCipher who has been a mentor on the programme for four successive years now:

“With every year I gain a little more confidence and learn a lot more myself. It is very much a two way process.”

A further benefit for employers is, of course, their access to motivated and enthusiastic students, potentially aiding with future recruitment.

Many trained mentors returned to the scheme this year but more are invited for next year’s programme. If you are an employer and would like to find out more about taking part, please call Katie Morris on 0845 196 2541 or email .

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