Birmingham City University has announced the launch of its inaugural Employability and Entrepreneurship Awards.

Known as BEST (BCU Employable Student Awards), the awards aim to recognise the innovative work being carried out to enhance the employability of Birmingham City University students.

Beverley Nielsen, Director Employer Engagement, said: "We're continually innovating to help our students develop the skills and knowledge that will help them throughout their working lives and we are proud to have one of the best graduate employment rates in the country.  

"Thanks to the commitment of our colleagues at the University, our students are gaining employability and entrepreneurship skills, providing them with the best chance to develop satisfying careers.  

"The BEST awards will celebrate the initiative being shown by our staff and students in enhancing employability and entrepreneurship skills. And we will use all of the nominations we have received for these inaugural BEST Awards to gain greater insights into our abundant best practice, to make the most of our experience and to ensure we are delivering the best opportunities to all our students through the ongoing development of our Employer Engagement activity, known as our BEST Programme."

As part of the BEST programme five key principles have been identified: Employability Skills, Enterprise Engagement, Entrepreneurship Practice, Experience of Work, and Employment Outcomes.

In addition, to further underline its commitment to improving graduate employability, Birmingham City University has appointed a new Employer Engagement team and BEST Project Group to work with our colleagues to help implement this programme so that graduates can be confident of having the best chances of success for their futures. 

"We believe we are onto something big. We want all our students to have the BEST chances in life and we are focused on delivering these opportunities to each and every one", added Beverley.

Over one hundred nominations have been received. The nominations have now been judged, with the winners being announced at the inaugural Awards ceremony on Monday 23rd May at the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University, Vittoria Street, Birmingham.

With 25,000 students from 80 different countries, Birmingham City University is one of the largest universities in the UK. The University provides practical solutions for business through research and consultancy for the likes of Apple, Microsoft, CISCO, Rolls-Royce, Morgan Motor Company, Cartier, Mitchells and Butler, and Jewsons. These excellent industry links influence the teaching of courses, giving students the skills and experience employers want - 87% secure jobs or go on to further study.

Birmingham City University is running a major awareness campaign in the Midlands to demonstrate how it is upgrading the future of individuals and companies.