Employer links
Southampton Solent University prides itself on its close working relationships with business and industry and on its excellent employment rate for its graduates. This is demonstrated throughout the organisation, from individual course links, ongoing careers and employer events, to University-wide partnerships.
University-wide involvement with regional businesses
Southampton Solent University is fully engaged with the sub-regional growth agenda, being actively involved in the development of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and leading the Southampton Skills Development Zone. The University has a number of productive partnerships with major employers including IBM, B&Q, IKEA and SIG and a strategic alliance with Southampton University Hospitals Trust (SUHT). These bring CPD, consultancy and employability opportunities for students, and includes workforce development initiatives.
Employment for students
Nearly 80% of students find employment within 6 months after their final term and the University runs its own successful internship scheme finding positions for its graduates internally and with regional businesses.
Employers are approaching the University every day to promote their opportunities, be it graduate traineeships, internships, part-time jobs, placements, work experience, full-time or voluntary opportunities. Over 1000 opportunities are advertised through the University's Employability & Enterprise Service every year. There are many ways employers can promote their company at Southampton Solent University, be it having a stand on campus, attending a faculty or employer fair, presenting a workshop, representing themselves at a careers forum, or interviewing students on campus, etc.
The University boasts two successful jobs boards, Jobshop Online and the graduate retention project Graduate Jobs South (GJS). GJS is a collaborative initiative with other universities in the region, working to retain the skills of graduates and to improve the local economy. GJS has grown from initially working with small to medium sized companies in Southampton to all companies in the region.
www.graduatejobsouth.co.uk|. 2800 companies promote themselves on Jobshop Online and GJS with over 3200 opportunities were advertised between 2010 – 2011.
Individual faculties
Through its Warsash Maritime Academy, the University has developed strong links with leading global brands including Shell, BP, Chevron, Carnival group, Maersk, Evergreen, and Eurasia. This is through the provision of maritime education, training, research and consultancy.
Solent Productions provides industry-standard training and consultancy to students, community groups and businesses across the Creative Industries. Solent Creatives provides student talent for industry and enjoys ongoing support from a range of private sector partners. One of the many benefits of this arrangement is high quality real-world experience and placements for students.
Strong links with the retail, sport and other business sectors provides a range of employability opportunities for students.
Course-level links with employers
Given the vocational nature of the University's courses, links with industry at course-level are too numerous to list in detail. See course information pages (link) for examples of work experience and employability information. Go to the Business and Community (link) section of the website for up to date information on a range of services available including short courses and professional development units.
Professional body accreditation
Many courses are also accredited by professional industry bodies, giving students the additional benefits of recognition by their chosen industry.