Employers benefit from BU talent

Page published: 22 December 2011

Employers can benefit from universities by regarding them as great places to recruit talent - that’s the clear message coming from an industry seminar in London recently.

Bournemouth University’s (BU) School of Tourism organised their BU Talent Day, specifically designed to attract the high-profile London crowd of employers from the tourism, hospitality, events, retail and leisure industries. Over 100 delegates came, including representatives from The Cavendish Hotel, Blue Arrow, House of Fraser and Millbrook Events. Current students and graduates were also on hand to give a personal account of their skills and experience.

Keynote speaker, Andrew Stembridge, Managing Director of the 5* Chewton Glen, Hampshire, one of the finest luxury hotels in the UK, offered a personal insight into his relationship with BU. “It’s important that as employers we scout for talent and build relationships with universities to get the good people,” he said. “The single biggest thing for me that differentiates Bournemouth University is that their students understand our business from the ground up. The relationship is an enjoyable and beneficial experience on both sides.”

Alison Gilbert, Director of HR and Board Director of CH&Co, the UK’s leading hospitality and venue organisers, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the relationship we’ve built over the years with BU. We have had 3 generations of BU talent: recent graduates, current work placements and work placement students last year. Students and graduates hit the ground running both in terms of skills and experience. They jump straight into supervisory management and often start off their time with CH&Co by working at Buckingham Palace.

“So why Bournemouth? Well, we find the Bournemouth students have the right combination of behaviours, attitudes and values,” Alison continued.

Graduate Maris Kuklis, now Senior Marketing Executive of the Hong Kong Tourist Board offered his observations of time at BU: “What makes BU special is the staff, the quality of study, the location and your fellow students. I made friends at Uni I now consider friends for life. Importantly, BU is not just an academic experience – it offers the whole life experience.”

Alan Fyall, Professor of Tourism and a key player in ensuring BU develops a strong sense of enterprise and employability within its curriculum, explained why the BU Talent Day is an important one, given the challenges currently facing both HE and the economy: “Here at BU, we have always been proactive at engaging with employers.  We have been doing this for a very long time and responding to change and demand – such as those we face in the current climate where we are all running a lot faster to stand still.

“We’re delighted with today’s event which further demonstrates our commitment as a university to engaging with employers. However, of real importance here is raising the profile of our excellent students who are here today meeting employers. They are our ambassadors and the leaders of the future in the key sectors of tourism, hospitality, events, retail and leisure.”