University recognised as an outstanding employability champion for graduates

A pioneering partnership project between the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield City Council has been recognised for championing talented graduates into employment after winning a prestigious national award from the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR). The partners scooped the Preparation for Work by Higher Education award for the innovative RISE project. RISE is a major city-wide initiative which strives to increase graduate employment in small and medium sized enterprises The project, which has been shortlisted for numerous national titles this year including the Guardian Awards, and the Times Higher Education Awards, brings together graduates who want to work hard and achieve great things, with businesses with energy and vision that are looking for fresh talent. Steve Fish, Careers Service Director at the University of Sheffield, said: "It is a great honour to win this award and I am delighted that this fantastic collaboration between both universities and the Council has been given the recognition it deserves. "RISE is the first scheme of its kind which is not only making a huge difference to the talented graduates who gain internships, but also the growing number of SMEs in the region "I am very proud of the scheme and the tremendous success it has achieved and I am looking forward to watching the RISE project grow even further. "The city of Sheffield is full of interesting businesses going interesting places and when you take this energy and innovation and add bright, graduate talent, the potential to rise is limitless." Councillor Leigh Bramall, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Development, said: "The RISE graduate programme is a great example of successful partnership working in the city.