Manchester Masters Seeks Employers

MANCHESTER Masters, the pioneering initiative to attract the best graduates to Manchester, is looking for top creative businesses or marketing departments to work with the next cohort of high calibre students from October.

The programme board is looking to sign up agencies and in-house departments involved in PR, advertising, marketing and digital sectors. Throughout the year, these companies will host a talented, hard-working student from the scheme on a three-month placement.

Since the programme’s launch in 2008, leading Manchester companies including MediaCom, The Co-operative, theEword, Expotel, and Betfred.com have taken part in the programme. As well as the graduate talent, the companies gained PR exposure and the chance to network with other top employers in the region.

The Manchester Masters programme offers excellent value for money with businesses paying just £2,150 per student, per quarter. On top of this, companies will save on recruitment and selection costs, and above all, they get first choice on some of the best graduates in the country – the ones who can really impact on a business's profits.

Chris Sheffield, managing director at Betfred.com, described his experience of working with Manchester Masters student, Jamie Goodwin: “Betfred.com has an established online presence, but we needed someone to put together our social media strategy.

“We briefed Jamie on the task during his placement with us, and he more than exceeded our expectations. Jamie’s work was professional, creative and knowledgeable, and we were so impressed that we have now offered him a permanent position.”

Chris continued: “I would fully recommend other businesses getting involved with Manchester Masters. It’s an excellent scheme and a far cry from just getting someone in for a few months to make the tea and to photocopy. Talented, enthusiastic and ambitious, the students enrolled on the programme are top of their game – and they may well end up teaching you a thing or two as well.”

Organisations can find more information, and register their interest in the programme, by visiting www.manchestermasters.com. The deadline for businesses to apply is Thursday 15 September 2011.