Interested in collaborating with Business Bridge?

Business Bridge is always looking for other organisations to work with. If you were interested in using us to gain information on how we work and how this can help your institution then we are interested in hearing from you. Business Bridge has distributed startup packs to many institutions and is collaborating closely with The University of Sunderland and Swinburne University of Technology (Australia). For more information click here

1) What does Business Bridge do?
2) What is a Knowledge Exchange Centre?
3) I don't want my students to be distracted from their course commitments - is Business Bridge a distraction?
4) Which students are eligible to register with Business Bridge?
5) What sort of companies does Business Bridge work with?
6) What is the difference between Business Bridge and temping agencies/job shops and the like?
7) As an academic what do I get out of it?
8) I am very busy - what would Business Bridge like me to do and what commitments would I need to make?
9) How long does a Business Bridge presentation take?
10) My department already has a placement unit / I have my own contacts, so why should I use Business Bridge?

What does Business Bridge do?

We are a non-profit making organisation finding work opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students within local companies. We are an integral part of the Business Development Centre at Liverpool John Moores University and the Careers services at Liverpool John Moores University, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University and the University of Chester.
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What is a Knowledge Exchange Centre?

Business Bridge is now developing a Knowledge Exchange Centre to benefit the 4 institutions it is associated with. The Knowledge Exchange Centre will be in accordance with the Govenrment white paper "The Future of Higher Education"

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I don't want my students to be distracted from their course commitments - is Business Bridge a distraction?

• During semesters Business Bridge always advises students to carefully consider their timetable before committing to a Business Bridge project and always considers coursework to be a priority. We ask students to let Business Bridge and the company they work for know as soon as possible if they have difficulty meeting their commitments.
• Wherever possible Business Bridge finds work that is relevant to students' courses so student commitment to their subject area frequently increases as their interest and understanding grows.
• It is a fact that many students choose to work during their time at university - Business Bridge provides an option that is relevant to their future careers.
• During semesters students usually only work 1 day per week through Business Bridge. Occasionally it is 2 days per week depending on their course commitments.
• The average length of a project is 20 days which is enough to gain good experience and short enough not to be a major distraction.
• Ideally Business Bridge could be incorporated into some course frameworks and be seen as an integral part of work based learning modules.
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Which students are eligible to register with Business Bridge?

Students from all courses and all years at Liverpool John Moores University, The University of Liverpool and the University of Chester. Students from other Higher Education Institutions who reside on Merseyside and Cheshire during holiday periods and wish to work in those periods are also welcome.
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What sort of companies does Business Bridge work with?

Business Bridge can now work with any size or type of company, also we are no longer limited to where we can work but we do say for practicality reasons that we only work within the North West of England.
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What is the difference between Business Bridge and temping agencies/job shops and the like?

There are several distinctions:

• Business Bridge aims to find work that is directly relevant to students' courses. It is not casual work in bars, restaurants and so on.
  
• Each piece of work is classified as a project that meets a company's specific immediate needs.
  
• The work is quantifiable and is usually for a set period rather than ongoing.
  
• Business Bridge encourages students to use the project for work based learning purposes wherever possible.
  
• Companies pay students directly. Business Bridge is not involved in this process except to suggest a guideline (complying with the national minimum wage).
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As an academic what do I get out of it?

Potential help with achieving your quota of placements. Students who have used Business Bridge have commented that it helps to improve their understanding of their subject and given them greater enthusiasm for their course. By promoting Business Bridge it shows a commitment to the employability agenda, which is currently a big issue within higher education and enables students to make the most of their time at University.
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I am very busy - what would Business Bridge like me to do and what commitments would I need to make?

In reality the help Business Bridge is looking for is likely to fit within your current remit. It would be very useful if all students were aware of Business Bridge and what it does - frequently students ask our team why they haven't heard about us before as they think it is a good idea. To resolve this perhaps:

• Let Business Bridge know a few weeks in advance of when your students will be looking for a work based learning placement and we can specifically target companies on your behalf.
• Business Bridge could be mentioned at the start of each year or, even better, Business Bridge would willingly give a brief presentation.
  
• Occasionally we put posters up around the various campuses - if you would like more please let us know. Placing them within lockable display cabinets is ideal.

• Ideally Business Bridge could be incorporated into some course frameworks and be seen as an integral part of work based learning modules. Having Business Bridge written into the curriculum cements the commitment of academics and Business Bridge in working together.
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How long does a Business Bridge presentation take?

It varies to fit in with your requirements. A typical presentation will involve using several overhead slides talking through what Business Bridge does and how students can get join and lasts around 10 minutes. We can extend this to include a Business Bridge video (12 minutes in duration), which shows students explaining what they have done via Business Bridge and how they have benefited. In the past we have also given presentations/informally discussed CV's with students and have linked in with careers advisors to give a complete overview of what is available within the careers advisory service and the advantages of using such facilities.
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My department already has a placement unit / I have my own contacts, so why should I use Business Bridge?

Business Bridge is a complementary service to existing units rather than a competitor. By making more links to industry on your behalf it not only helps us to reach our targets but also potentially frees up a little more of your time to concentrate on other tasks. Business Bridge does not seek to take over your hard-won contacts (unless you would like us to do so of course). In addition to our staff speaking with local businesses on a daily basis, we have dedicated personnel who can spend time advising your students on CVs and give interview guidance if needed. The better prepared a student is the smoother the whole placement process is for all involved.
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