13 July 2005

Double success for Careers Service

The University of Dundee's Careers Service has been given a double boost, picking up two major accolades.

The service has been accredited with a national quality award, the Matrix standard, while Graham Nicholson, the University's Careers Service Director, has been appointed President elect of the UK's national body for careers professionals in higher education.

In winning the Matrix award the Careers Service has been praised for a number of innovative schemes that it has developed to help students widen their experience at university and become more attractive to potential employers. One major initiative has been the new Internship module, where students take part in a placement with a local employer. This provides students with credits towards their degree as well as encouraging them to develop the kind of new skills desired by employers.

The Internship module has been supported by a number of major local employers and has further cemented the links between industry and the University and its students.

Meanwhile Mr Nicholson, who heads up the Careers Service, has just been named president elect of The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), which represents careers professionals working in the higher education sector. Through meeting with UK graduate employers, university policy makers, funders and Government ministers, Graham will push forward graduate careers services across the UK for the benefit of both students and employers.

Graham Nicholson said, "We are delighted with our continuing success. The Internship Module builds on the already successful Career Planning Module and the student 'job shop' has already assisted over 1000 students find work locally."

For further information please contact Graham Nicholson on 01382 344112

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk