Ulster University Business School has today announced the continuation of the award winning ‘Talent Hub’, an innovative initiative launched last year, co-designed with core industry partner FinTrU and in collaboration with Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. It focuses on connecting talented students with Derry~Londonderry employers to help them build their professional networks whilst committing future talent to the North West region.

Supporting the transition from education into the working world and as part of the Global Business and Enterprise degree offerings at Ulster University, in excess of 100 second-year students will complete four workshops delivered by academic experts and FinTrU’s team of professionals.

The series of workshops has been created to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities they need to enhance their potential for future employability, whilst ensuring the next generation of talent is aligned with employer needs.

Each session will focus on a different aspect of essential career development themes, helping students to develop and advance their confidence and professional skills, build networking skills and business acumen, including what to expect during a job application process, from crafting compelling CV’s to sharpening their interview skills, with the support in the classroom creating a real and authentic learning opportunity for the students from both Erin King (FinTrU) and Natalie McCloskey (The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce)

Dr Mary Crossan, Lecturer in Business Enterprise at Ulster University said:

“The Talent Hub programme was created and developed by Dr Aisling Reid and had great success in its first year with winning the Educational Partnership Award at last year’s North West Business Awards and also through the number of local placements doubling. This success has been possible from the support of incredible local business leaders in the North West such as FinTrU, Alchemy Technology Services, Fujitsu and Moore NI. These employers are committed to raising up and championing the next generation of talent and actively participate in activities to authentically network with students and create excellent learning environment and placement opportunities.

“We are delighted to be continuing the partnership with FinTrU for ‘’The Talent Hub 2024” and we appreciate their outstanding efforts in co-creating this dynamic workshop series which has been a great success. FinTrU were our biggest local recruiter of business placement students last year because of this initiative.

“We will be running again a grand finale event in December; it was a great success last year and it is aimed at raising the profile of the students taking part in the Talent Hub. It is a great opportunity for the next generation of talent, to take to the stage to ‘pitch for placement’ aiming to impress the Great Hall audience of local employers with the hope of making an impression and aiding their opportunity for placement offers.”

“Local businesses still have time to get involved with Talent Hub and we would welcome them to register to come along for the finale event. Our expectation is that they will find this an innovative and dynamic approach to engaging with potential placement students.”

Through the Talent Hub 2023 Ulster University student James Condren was able to secure his placement role at FinTrU for 2024. James explains:

“Through the Talent Hub, I was able to develop the necessary skills that would help earn me my place on FinTrU’s 2024-25 Placement Programme and contribute to my success as a Junior Analyst. Additionally, participation allowed me to strengthen my networking skills, communicate with industry professionals during the workshops and events, and gain first hand insights from placement students on the benefits of working within their chosen companies.”

Speaking on the ‘Talent Hub’ collaborative partnership, Kathleen McDermott, FinTrU, Executive Director said:

“After a hugely successful collaboration last year, we are delighted to be partnering with Ulster University Business School once again for the 2024 Talent Hub. We will be playing our part in helping to guide and advise aspiring local business students as they look towards building their future careers. Our FinTrU Placement Programme for 2025/26 is now open for applications and we welcome interest from students who wish to supercharge their career at FinTrU – right here in the North West.”

Anna Doherty, Chief Executive of The Derry Chamber of Commerce added:

“Londonderry Chamber of Commerce have facilitated this fantastic collaboration between two of our corporate partners, Ulster University and FinTrU, to the benefit of everybody involved – the businesses who are providing the skills and expertise, the educators who are shaping the programming and the students taking part. We are proud to see the university and business working together to provide tangible results and a confident talent pipeline.”

Local businesses can contact Dr Mary Crossan, Ulster University to learn more about the ‘Talent Hub 2024’ and get involved or register to attend the finale ‘pitch for placement’ event by emailing m.crossan@ulster.ac.uk