Kingston Business School programme shortlisted for international CIPD award

Posted Friday 26 July 2019

A learning and development programme devised by Kingston Business School to help ensure students are ready for the workplace when they graduate is in the running for an international Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) award.

The Kingston Business Experience Programme is one of seven projects shortlisted for the best learning and development initiative in the public sector in this year's CIPD People Management Awards. Other finalists include Hampshire County Council and West Midlands Police.

The Kingston programme offers students support to develop their expertise in a range of areas, including communication and presentation skills, negotiation, critical thinking and business networking. More than 1,200 Kingston University students have taken part in the programme during the past three years, which culminates in a three-month work placement for participants.

Kingston Business School's business readiness manager Elizabeth Machtynger said the aim of the programme was to make sure Kingston graduates were sought after by employers and had the very best opportunities to make the most of their degrees once they graduate.

"We work closely with University staff, students and employers to devise a programme of training that matches what businesses need from new recruits and to provide students with meaningful work placements that help them develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the world of work," she said. "To be shortlisted by the CIPD as best learning and development initiative is testament to the dedication of the staff who work on the programme as well as to the commitment of the students who have taken part."

Ms Machtynger and acting director of undergraduate programmes Deborah Pinder-Young visited Chelsea Football Club at the start of July to give a presentation to the CIPD judging panel about the programme, along with the other finalists. They were joined by Chandini Tiwari, a Kingston University student currently on placement with insurance firm Zurich.

The award winners will be announced in September.