The winner of the AGCAS Building Effective Partnerships Award 2022 is Birmingham City University and Aston University.
Funded by the Office for Students (OfS) Graduate Re-Tune supports local unemployed and underemployed graduates to secure graduate-level work placements and jobs, bridging the gap between the employability and skills support offered by universities and the ‘mainstream’ employment and skills offer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Led by Birmingham City University (BCU) and delivered in partnership with Aston University and DWP’s Birmingham and Solihull Jobcentre Plus District, Graduate Re-Tune is a formal partnership between the two Universities and DWP that offers a tailored package of support to help unemployed graduates re-engage with the graduate jobs market.
As of February 2022, Graduate Re-Tune, in partnership with DWP Work Coaches, has helped 95 unemployed and underemployed graduates to secure job placements, and 351 graduates have secured full-time employment.
Judges comments
'In a strong category the judges felt the Graduate Re-Tune initiative stood out for its impact beyond university and into the community, and for the opportunity it presented for students to continue working in the city, retaining talent for the local area. This sustainable and tailored partnership has produced measurable results that will benefit students and the community alike.'
The winner was announced at the AGCAS Awards for Excellence showcase webinar on 22 June 2022.