Business grant and relocation in Kent news

 

Business First was launched thanks to funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

The scheme, run by Canterbury Christ Church University in partnership with the Universities of Kent, Greenwich and the Creative Arts, enables Kent businesses to provide placement opportunities to graduates at no cost, in a bid to support business in the economic downturn.

The scheme has been welcomed by Jonathan Shaw, minister for the South East, who recently visited Canterbury Christ Church University's Hall Place Enterprise Centre.

And now Dartford-based Mazda UK Ltd is reaping the rewards.
Liesa Fallowfield, from the company, said: "We became involved in the project to relieve some of the pressure and workload which was increasing as a result of the government scrappage scheme.

"It has provided the business with extra resources at a time when everyone's busy.

"This has been an extremely beneficial project for both our business and the graduate, so much so that we're looking at other graduate opportunities within the business.

"The Business First scheme helps employers fill gaps within their organisation and gives graduates the vital experience they need when starting work with an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills - everyone's a winner!"

Julian Naci, a Canterbury Christ Church University graduate taking part in the scheme, said: "I got involved with the Business First project because I believed it would give me the opportunity to work in the business world, provide me with valuable experience and hopefully kick-start my employment career.

"Business First is definitely a worthwhile project to take part in and I have already recommended it to fellow graduates I studied with."

Business services at Canterbury Christ Church University are now well established across Kent, offering small and medium-sized businesses everything from consultancy and leadership programmes to research and student placements.

The university has officially opened its new Faculty of Business and Management to further support local businesses and students in the future.

The new faculty will provide undergraduate and postgraduate students with a wide range of courses and programmes led by experts in teaching, practice and research.

Canterbury Christ Church aims to develop successful business leaders and managers of the future with the skills to challenge and turn around economic uncertainty.

The launch took place at the University's Old Sessions House with talks from prominent figures in Kent's business world: Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Kent Allan Willett and Paul Barrett, managing director of Barrett's of Canterbury.

For more information about the range of business services and courses at Canterbury Christ Church University contact the business services team on 01227 782196 or email business.services@canterbury.ac.uk