JAM Placements
Mon, 11 Jun 2012 10:54:00 BST
A new Huddersfield company was so impressed by the calibre of local university students that it has offered paid work placements to FIVE of them.
The firm is JAM Business Media, based at Wellington Mills, Huddersfield. It was founded in May 2010 and offers expert advice and help on marketing via digital media, plus services such as website design.
The company’s boss is Matt Hill, who was a professional footballer with clubs including Sheffield United before making a career switch into sales and marketing. Keen to involve JAM with the local community and to offer employment opportunities, he met and interviewed a large number of business students at the University of Huddersfield who were seeking work placements, which are an integral part of their degree studies.
“I was very impressed with all of them, for their mindset as well as their academic background,” said Mr Hill. But he was forced to whittle his final selection down to five. They will principally be managing online advertising campaigns for clients. And Mr Hill hopes that he will be able to offer permanent posts to some of the students after they have completed their courses.
“I am really excited at the prospect of working alongside young people with fresh minds and new ideas and I think that they too will learn a lot over the next 12 months,” he added.
The five recruits at JAM are Chris Nightingale, Erika Jaselaityte, Daniel Cole, Jamie Whiteley and James Shaw, who are all students at the University of Huddersfield’s Business School taking a range of degree courses, including marketing, accountancy and entrepreneurial skills.
It is unprecedented for one company to recruit such a large number of students, says Work Placement Officer Andrew Stainton, but he is delighted by the link with JAM and believes that the both the firm and the students will benefit.
“For the students it is about gaining experience, putting their knowledge into practice, developing skills and improving long-term employability. Meanwhile, the firm gains enthusiasm, ideas and new perspectives,” he said.
Every year the Business School finds placements for some 80 students, said Mr Stainton, adding that the Placement Unit has a long track record of close relationships with local companies.
Companies wishing to accept students on placement should contact the Business School Placement Unit on 01484 472216 or email hubsplacements@hud.ac.uk.
