A partnership that has created nearly 400 graduate jobs across South Yorkshire with support from the Growth Hub is celebrating being nominated for a prestigious award.
The RISE: Sheffield City Region programme was nominated in the Apprenticeship/Training Scheme category of the Made in Sheffield Awards last week, which rewards excellence in manufacturing across the city region. RISE enables small and medium businesses to attract, recruit and retain talented graduates in quality jobs in the region. The programme is a collaboration between Sheffield City Council, the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, the private sector and Sheffield City Region. It is offered as part of the Sheffield City Region’s Growth Hub, which aims to be the single point of contact for all business support across the region.
David Grimes, Head of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, said: “It is brilliant news that RISE has been recognised by the Made Awards as having made an outstanding contribution to the region by connecting talented graduates with our fantastic SMEs. We know that the scheme is successful and valued, showing we were right to invest in the scheme as part of our broader business support offer through the Growth Hub.”
Launched in 2013, RISE has created nearly 400 graduate jobs in 300 of the region’s businesses.
The scheme’s reputation amongst local business sectors is strong, including digital and manufacturing which together account for more than 40 per cent of businesses. Recent RISE alumni including diverse companies such as: Magtec, Birley Manufacturing, EXAWATT, Cannon PR and Castus.
Research shows the scheme is on track to deliver more than £7million to the region’s economy. A recent survey of RISE businesses showed that companies benefit in many ways by taking on a graduate because graduates bring new skills, energy and enthusiasm as well as new ways of working that help the business to grow.
RISE runs three times a year with two more programmes left to run in 2018. The RISE team are particularly interested in recruiting businesses now to coincide with summer graduation – so it’s a great time to get in touch to find out if RISE is right for you. Interested businesses and graduates should go to www.risescr.co.uk for more information.
Sinead O’Neill, HR Manager of Magtec, one of the companies which has benefitted from RISE said: “At Magtec we have used RISE to recruit several outstanding graduates. The whole process was so simple, from helping understand our skills need to writing the job descriptions in a way that would attract graduates. We got the right mix of candidates through the selection process. We had a great experience and I hope to see RISE continue into the future to help other SMEs.”
Professor Sir Keith Burnett, CBE, FRS, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield said: “We are deeply proud that our University is working in partnership with our city region and local employers to develop the skilled graduates businesses need. Projects like RISE make us an extremely attractive region to those looking for talent to contribute to their companies. This ‘Sheffield model’ is nationally and internationally pioneering, and I am proud to be associated with it.”
Professor Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University said: “The University is committed to supporting the region to grow and thrive. RISE is a way we can create more opportunities for our graduates to stay and make excellent contributions to businesses here with their skills and knowledge they have gained through studying with us.”
Edward Highfield, Director of City Growth, Sheffield City Council said: “RISE shows that small and medium sized businesses across the region value graduate talent but that they often need support in bringing them into their organisations. I’m proud that RISE fulfils this need and we are seeing real economic benefit as a result.”
For more information about RISE go to www.risescr.co.uk.
For information on business support contact the Growth Hub on 03330 000039 or by emailing growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk. For more information visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk
_____________________________________ ENDS _______________________________________
Notes to editor
- For more information about RISE contact (Sheffield City Council): Sarah Lowi Jones, 0114 22 32368 or at lowijones@sheffield.gov.uk
- For further information, please contact Laurie Harvey, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 205 3546. Email harvey@sheffield.gov.uk
- For out of office media enquiries ring 07711 153995.