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Students receive a Business BOOST

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ students have an extra boost to their confidence, thanks to a funded programme.

The BOOST programme was funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and gave second year undergraduates the opportunity of a five week paid placement with a range of local employers. Students were matched to companies according to their skill sets by the University’s award-winning careers service.

Over 20 students took part in the BOOST summer placements and a competition was held to decide the most enterprising student.

The £300 prize went to Charlotte Bailey, 20, from Humbledon Barnes, Sunderland, with a £100 runner’s-up prize going to Tim Gale, 21, from Norton, Stockton-on-Tees.

The competition’s judges were Paul Whitecross, Account Manager for the Tees Valley from Business Enterprise North East and Laura Widdop, Higher Education Development Officer of Young Enterprise North East .

Both Charlotte and Tim are students on the BA (Hons) Web and Multimedia design. Charlotte’s placement was with Middlesbrough Council’s Shop Mobility scheme. While there she developed a new website from scratch and also completed separate web design and market research for the team.

Charlotte said: 'I never thought I’d get an award from taking part in this scheme, I’m really proud and I’m putting the £300 away for a holiday in Egypt next year. This has given me a different kind of work experience for the future which I can take into business. To work with a live client has really helped my business and communication skills, by meeting new people. The client liked my website and hopefully it will attract more customers.'

Tim was based with Moreish Foods, a cake manufacturer in his home village, again completing graphic and web design. Tim said: 'They were looking for a student with an IT background and this was a great opportunity to apply my skills in a professional environment. I also got cakes on a daily basis! I’ve built up contacts for the future and would like to keep in touch with Moreish as they’re a growing company. Like Charlotte, the money’s going towards a holiday.'

Charlotte will return to the University on October, while Tim will begin a year’s placement with South Tees NHS Trust.

Enhance employability skills Professor Caroline MacDonald, º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Student Experience) presented the awards and said: 'The title is appropriate as the programme boosts the students’ confidence for when they apply for jobs next year. It’s a really good initiative, giving a taste and an idea of what it’s like in the workplace and the chance to enhance their employability skills. Charlotte is a former pupil of St. Anthony’s RC, Sunderland, followed by Newcastle College and the daughter of Kathy and David Bailey. Tim is a former pupil of Ian Ramsey C of E and Stockton Riverside College and the son of David and Amanda Gale.

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