Credit where credit is due; Aberystwyth University must be congratulated on what has been a very successful AberForward scheme!
Credit where credit is due; Aberystwyth University must be congratulated on what has been a very successful AberForward scheme! This scheme saw 69 unemployed Aberystwyth University graduates enter a month long, paid, graduate trainee placements at the University in numerous departments and services. In an effort to get them into work, Aberystwyth University has given them opportunities to learn new skills, adapt to new surroundings and offered experiences in order to develop into the job market.
Many AberForward graduates are very happy with the scheme. Rhys Morgan, a Sports and Exercise Science graduate was offered a placement as a Marketing Campaign Co-ordinator based in the Sports Centre. He says, ‘I am enjoying every moment of it! Having not worked a typical 9-5 job in an office before, I really felt I lacked the skills and experience which many jobs are based upon. The AberForward scheme gave me the opportunity to enhance my skills through the work placement and also through various workshops which the scheme offers to the graduate trainees. The fact the AberForward scheme pays a graduate salary is a real bonus, and motivates me to really make a difference and impress work colleagues. I would highly recommend this scheme to any prospective graduate next year!’
Indeed, the Students’ Union hopes the University will continue to offer this in the future as it continues its commitment to employability and getting graduates into jobs. Hopefully, the University has also greatly benefited from these graduates who truly understand the ‘student experience’ here at Aberystwyth.
Another AberForward graduate trainee, Elenya Kim McGovern working at the Centre for the Development of Staff and Academic Practice (CDSAP) says that AberForward is, "A great scheme which has helped to develop graduate skills through challenging work experience in an familiar environment
“So far it has been a brilliant experience, we've learnt a variety of transferable skills and been assigned important responsible projects.
“It's been great to be back in the University environment on the other side, the staff have been welcoming and helpful and we've been given creative and interesting projects to work on."
AberSU looks forward to hearing more success stories of graduate interns that have enjoyed their short return to Aberystwyth University and further hope that this ambitious and innovative scheme leads the way for other Universities across the UK to do the same! A down side? That other graduates didn’t take up the offer and that it’s only for this short period of time!
Congratulations to the University and to all the graduate interns!