The University of Derby has been awarded a top award at the Midlands Business Awards 2018.
The university was named University of the Year at the awards ceremony in Leicester.
It’s Be The Boss programme, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), offers a combination of action planning, one-to-one support and a series of workshops aimed at students and graduates who want to become self-employed.
Enterprise adviser Bruce McLeod said: “We already have 145 students and graduates enrolled onto it.
“Of these, 89 have benefited from at least 12 hours’ worth of support and 63 new businesses have been created.”
The first stage of the programme consists of an initial action planning meeting during which a University Enterprise Adviser meets with the student or graduate to discuss their business idea. Five workshops include presentations, group discussions and cover key enterprise topics such a business planning, marketing strategy, selling skills, market research and pricing.
The final stage of the programme is a review meeting, where students are able to give feedback on their experience and are signposted to other business support programmes run within the University and externally.
University of Derby’s head of student employment and enterprise Jo Wheldon said: “Supporting students and graduates to develop enterprising skills and ultimately start their own business, is a key part of our offer.
“I am so proud of the team and all the efforts that have gone into the Be The Boss project and to see this recognised through this award is testament to their hard work.”
