Developing graduates skills 

BusinessWise is an innovative and groundbreaking approach to developing graduate skills, aimed at ensuring a consistent approach to the development of graduates throughout the Regions Division of Capita Symonds. The programme was created through a joint partnership approach with the University of Salford and Lledr Hall and provides a coherent standardised model for graduate development. This means we can be assured that all our graduates are receiving a consistent and high level of development. 

In an industry with skills shortages across most disciplines, BusinessWise helps Capita Symonds to grow its own pool of talent capable of progressing into senior positions. It also supports our recruitment strategy, allowing us to demonstrate a unique offering when pitched against our competitors.

54 students from across the Regions Division of Capita Symonds signed up to the BusinessWise programme in 2008, which represents a significant investment of nearly £65,000 by the company in the programme. All course fees, time out of the business and expenses are met by the company.

Feedback to date has been very positive from all parties involved:

Tracy Calvert, a graduate at Capita Symonds who has been through the BusinessWise programme, said: “I found the course really useful in understanding the processes behind what we do. It’s been designed to allow us to relate the lectures back to our current and future roles which I found really helpful.” Tracy Calvert, Graduate.

Kathryn Turner, also a graduate of the programme, said: “I found the team building work to be really useful. Capita Symonds is a large business, but through BusinessWise I‘ve had the opportunity to meet up with other graduates from across the country and share our experiences.”Renata Eyres, Head of Business-Led Learning at the University of Salford, said: “Working with Capita Symonds, you soon come to realise that they are an organisation that clearly understand and value the importance of developing their staff to achieve their business goals. This culture of learning has also benefited the University with Capita investing time and effort to help inform and shape our key business processes and systems for engaging with employers. We look forward with confidence to the further development of the partnership.”