Students gain work experience and deliver recruitment insights with EY Newcastle

This would give candidates practical experience and insight into EY’s work culture, according to the team.

Additionally, the students advised EY to increase its presence on social media and advertise in Metro stations and city centre locations. 

They also suggested working with schools in deprived areas and a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) to reach disadvantaged young people. 

Another idea was an insight day to give successful applicants a look at the workplace and take part in employability workshops.

Zoubkova added: “Our recommended strategy aimed to help EY attract more young, local talent in North East England, with a particular focus on raising awareness of the apprenticeship programmes and highlighting them as an alternative to the traditional university pathway or full-time employment. 

“We also engaged with students from challenging socio-economic backgrounds to encourage them to apply and help support social mobility in the region.”

Harry Hawes, director at EY, said: “This project gave students from Northumbria University the chance to gain real-world work experience with EY and deepen their understanding of our business and the sectors within which we operate. 

“At the same time, it also provided us with a fresh perspective on one of our recruitment goals from people who were at a similar age and stage of their career journeys to those we’re looking to attract. 

“The students came up with a number of thought-provoking ideas and theories, some of which we have already started to implement.”

Hawes added: “I would recommend the business clinic to other organisations. 

“They provide a different perspective when exploring business challenges, as well as using these alternate views to inform a more robust and effective solution. 

“We look forward to hopefully collaborating with and supporting the business clinic again in the future.”

Rebecca Dutson, acting director at Northumbria University’s Business Clinic, said: “The students applied themselves impressively on this project with one of the region’s major employers. 

“Their innovation, dedication and problem-solving skills were highlighted in abundance and feedback from the EY team was extremely positive. 

“The project showcased what we’re all about here at the business clinic; we give students the chance to drive forward live projects that give them valuable experience and provide tangible benefits to the organisations they work with.”