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And, judging by the latest figures from the Careers and Enterprise team, the answer here at the University is a resounding yes. 

In October and November last year the team delivered six on-campus events, with 197 employers taking part and 3,466 students and graduates attending. This represents a 26% increase in employer bookings for careers fairs, and a 135% increase in student and graduates’ attendance, compared to the same events the previous year. 

Employer feedback:

“I found it to be very successful. Footfall was good, and based on my interactions, your students were engaged and enthused by the opportunities on offer.”

 Tom Duerden from Get Into Teaching

Ian Boardman, Head of Career Development & Employment, said: “Our careers events on campus have been growing in popularity for some time now, with employers, students and graduates alike.

“In fact, so great has been the demand for opportunities to engage, we actually delivered an additional science, engineering and environment careers fair in January, where more than 20 employers and 400 students were able to meet and get to know each other, and we’re putting on another additional Spring Careers Fair on 6 March.

“In an era of hyperconnectivity it can be easy to forget just how vital face-to-face human engagement can be, especially when making life altering decisions about your future career, or who you employ.

“The old marketing adage ‘people don’t buy products, people buy people’ is as true today as it’s ever been, and bringing employers, students and graduates together remains one of the most effective ways to meet the needs of all parties.   

“For employers there’s the chance to meet the stars of the future, from a leading University, and show them just what their organisations have to offer in terms of a rewarding and fulfilling career path.  

Employer feedback:

"Well organised, excellent communication before and throughout the event, students knowledgeable of what companies were attending."

Jeminee Joshi from Pick Everard

“And for students and graduates there’s the opportunity to meet employers and gain valuable insights about employment opportunities, recruitment and selection processes, and career development.

“At the same time our careers fairs also give them the chance to develop their ability to network and to convey their best qualities to potential employers. And the experience and knowledge gained, along with the networking opportunities afforded by our events, has often proved invaluable to our students and graduates in planning their futures.

“The effectiveness of our events is the product of the experience and expertise of the Careers and Enterprise team who, by continuous engagement with employers and students and listening to their feedback, successfully adapt each event to meet the needs of the attendees.

“The team has spent years building deep working relationships, not only with employers but with the wider University family, working closely with colleagues in the Schools, and to coordinate and deliver our events.

“And I’d just like to say a huge well done and thank you to all of them, and to Rachel Martin (Employer Liaison Consultant) in particular.” 

For more information on careers and enterprise provision at the University please visit the careers page, where you can also see details of all our upcoming events.

Employer feedback:

"The staff could not have been more helpful or attentive. It’s a great way to publicise our training programme."

Jade Flaherty from Moorside Primary

And here’s just some of the employers engaging with our careers fairs:

• Absolute Footwear
• AJ Bell
• Aldi UK
• Auto Trader UK
• BAE Systems
• Bidfood
• BNY Mellon
• Civil Service
• Fast Stream
• Co-op Live
• Deloitte
• Energus
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Fabulous Fan Fayre
• Galliford Try
• Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance
• GVI
• Inizio Medical
• Lakeland Dairies
• Lancashire Music Service
• LK Group
• Local Government
• National Graduate Development Programme
• LOFT Interiors
• Lush
• Mace Group
• Manchester United
• Matalan
• Meridian Audio
• Northwest Bylines (journalism)
• Northern Care Alliance
• NSS Hire, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
• Randox Laboratories
• RSK