
INVESTING in talent is what every business wants but it rarely comes cheap.
A new idea from Manchester Metropolitan University bucks that trend, offering the region's firms a glimpse of their future employees and some extra brainpower at no extra cost.
Agency Life is a partnership between the University and up to 50 businesses operating in marketing, digital, PR, advertising, branding and retail.
The idea is that each business gets up to six talented bright undergraduates to work on problems, projects or anything that needs doing in the business.
The students – from MMU Business School – are being released from their courses, one day a week to fulfil the tasks for free.
David Edmundson-Bird, principal lecturer in Digital Marketing & Enterprise, said: “It costs the business nothing, won't consume a great deal of their time, and they could be looking at the talent they might want to attract in a few years.
“All the students want in return is that experience employers say they must have when they graduate. It's what businesses say and they have always wanted from a university.”
Thye move sees MMU Business School become one of the first to make 'a working day' an obligatory part of a degree course and is designed to support and cultivate the city's burgeoning digital, marketing and PR sector.
So far 27 businesses have signed up to Agency Life.
Interested businesses should come to one of the University’s information events https://mmuagencylife2.eventbrite.com, visit the website http://mmuagencylife.com or contact David Edmundson-Bird on 0161 247 4603 d.edmundson-bird@mmu.ac.uk
Published Wednesday, 22nd August 2012
Need an expert? Try our experts directory.
For all the latest news go to the News homepage.
Manchester Metropolitan University is a leading university for the professions and a powerful driver of the North West economy.
The University educates and trains large numbers of the region’s legal and business professionals, scientists, engineers, teachers, health workers and creative professionals. It enjoys an excellent reputation for teaching and applied research and is a recognised innovator in partnership working with its local communities. The University is currently investing almost £300 million in its estate and facilities.
Added today: Hallé and MMU team up to create "dubstep gamelan" Residency starts today for unusual project
Added today: Football - the people's game? Conference returns to look at sport's place in the community
Added yesterday: Future fashion stars strut their stuff Designers showcased at annual fashion show
Added 3 days ago: Student is voice of Radio 1 Big Weekend Hive Radio station manager wins national competition
Added 4 days ago: Cheshire students learn from the best Business advice from Heineken International team
Follow @manmetuni on Twitter for the latest news from MMU.