Students on De Montfort University’s retail management course will have the chance to win a paid placement at a high street fashion retailer, thanks to the launch of an exciting new competition.
Leicestershire-based Next has teamed up with DMU to offer a four-week paid placement to the first year student who performs the best over a series of business challenges.
The winner will also get a guaranteed interview for a year-long placement at the end of their second year of study – as well as the chance to choose an interview suit from Next’s stylish tailoring collection.
DMU programme leader Philip Garton said: “This is an innovative way to help students gain valuable learning experience and introduce them to the variety of jobs that a career in retail has to offer.
“We’ve been working with Next for several years, helping our graduates to join the company through the normal recruitment process, but this competition is a new development in our collaboration.
“As part of a leading business school, we have contacts with many employers – but this is the first time that we’ve teamed up with a local business to offer our students the chance to win such an invaluable experience.”
The competition reflects DMU’s commitment to providing an environment in which its students learn to manage the challenges created by business – and Next's commitment to developing the managers of the future.
Chris Raw, HR Officer at Next, said: "We're delighted to be developing this approach with De Montfort University, which gives us the opportunity to build relationships with potential stars of the future on the BA (Hons) Retail Management degree. We are always looking to invest in future talent and look forward to working with the students and staff at De Montfort University from September."
The competition, which is open to all first year students on DMU’s BA in Retail Management, comprises three elements that will test the range of the students’ skills. A team of judges, including managers from Next, will assess the students and pick the eventual winners.
There will also be prizes for the second and third placed students, while all students on the course will gain from the challenges set by Next and the programme team.
For Next, the competition forms part of a strategy to introduce students to merchandising within the retail sector, as well as offering them a unique opportunity to add invaluable experience to their CV via work experience at a FTSE 100 company.
DMU’s longer term aim is to extend the format to other areas of the Business School’s activity. It hopes that Next’s lead will inspire similar links with other partners, in a range of sectors, to ensure that employers maintain a strong role in shaping its students’ learning.
