BH SPONSORS EMPLOYABILITY POINTS SCHEME (21/06/12)

Burgess Hodgson is pleased to announce that it will be a sponsor of the University of Kent’s Employability Points Scheme (EPS) for 2012.

Developed by the University’s Kent Innovation & Enterprise, EPS is designed to improve the employability of students by involving them in real-life activities outside of their programmes of study.

EPS aims to support the personal and work-skills development of students by encouraging them to choose and collect reward points for taking part in a range of business-related, but non-compulsory, activities.

These include: involvement with campus events; student mentoring; organising student society events; work placements; international study; and completion of a world language module.

At the end-of-year rewards ceremony, students with the highest points are then presented with prizes such as training programmes, paid internships and vouchers, all of which are sponsored by organisations or companies such as Canterbury-based Burgess Hodgson.

The scheme was launched in September 2010 and became so successful that, between July 2011 and June 2012, almost 2000 under- and post-graduate students were inspired to get involved, nearly 300 of which have received a reward this year.

For 2012, Burgess Hodgson will be offering two work experience placements to students who want to make accountancy a career. In addition, it will provide four employment assessment sessions, where students will have a CV-check and a mock interview.

For Burgess Hodgson, EPS is an excellent way for students to enhance their employability, while at the same time, gaining exposure to a profession like accountancy.

“We take on average four graduates each year, many of whom have studied at Kent University,” said Martin West, partner at Burgess Hodgson. “When we look at applicants we take into account a candidate’s all-round skills, as well as their qualifications.

“We are proud to be able to offer our services and support to assist in such a fantastic programme which encourages and rewards students for working on their all-round employability skills as well as their qualification.”