University Alliance is looking for an independent, external agency to work with the team to conduct extensive research of different employers (ideally including representatives from both SMEs and larger corporates).
Find the full criteria for the evaluation of bids and a timeline here.
The research will assess what employers value when hiring graduate applicants: whether they most value the graduate’s skills and experience, the course they studied, or the institution they studied at.
We are keen to find out the extent to which employers value graduates with a range of experience of the workplace or industry placements, and to what extent they value those who have graduated from universities typically considered prestigious.
We would also like to test their understanding of what professional and technical universities offer, not only to students through the form of ‘hands-on’ technical education and links with industry, but the extent to which they understand universities deliver support to local businesses.
The requirement: what we want from an agency/individual.
We are looking for an agency or consultant to conduct detailed research of employers/hiring managers at larger businesses and SMEs, who have extensive experience of hiring graduates.
The research should seek to quantify the following:
- What businesses know about different types of university, and what kinds of courses they offer.
- What business know about professional and technical universities like UA’s members (e.g. applied research, links to industry, greater diversity of students).
- What businesses value most about graduates when hiring.
- To what extent perceptions of the university the applicant graduated from is considered in the hiring process.
About University Alliance
University Alliance (UA) represents 16 of the UK’s leading professional and technical universities. Our members specialise in working with industry and employers. Their teaching is hands-on, and designed to prepare students for careers. Their knowledge and research drive industry to innovate, thrive and meet challenges.
Our members are leading the way in innovation and business support in the green, tech, creative and healthcare industries. They are leading providers of teaching in healthcare, the creative arts, degree apprenticeships and more. We collaborate as UA to benefit our members and their communities, and to provide expertise to policy makers.
Project timeline
Deadline for proposals: 23:59, Friday 8 March
Interviews: w/c 11 March
Project kick-off: Monday 25 March.
Final report and project close: Friday 31 May (provisional date).
Tender process
Bidders must submit an electronic copy of their tender submission no later than 23:59, Friday 8 March, with the subject line: ITT University Alliance Employer Research to thomas@unialliance.ac.uk
Read full details here.