partner feature
Collaboration cuts costs N
ow more than ever, employers are seeking candidates who are equipped with the enterprise and leadership qualities needed for the world of business. An innovative
programme delivered at Newport’s University is giving postgraduate students the opportunity to gain vital employability skills while working on live business projects. e-venture, an online scheme designed to develop
students’ enterprising skills, is helping provide real-life business briefs to work on with industry leaders. Now, the university is developing a creative agency which will expand this work and provide even more opportunities for both students and businesses alike. This spring, e-venture was piloted across several
business and creative disciplines across the University of Wales, Newport and will form an integral part of the new Agency, which is due to be launched in September 2012. A recent collaboration between students at Newport
University’s Business School and car parts manufacturer Continental Teves UK Ltd has brought great benefits to both the students and the employer, with the Gwent-based business making potential savings of up to £200,000 a year. After the group of postgraduates from the Managing
Professional Practice module were shown around the workshops at the Continental Teves Ebbw Vale plant, they were asked to conduct market research with the aim of securing a contract for producing painted brake calipers in the UK. Currently the firm dispatches brake caliper
components to Europe for them to be painted, but it was keen to source a supplier closer to home for this process. The students undertook an evaluation of Requests
for Quotations (RFQs), before identifying the most suitable UK supplier and presenting their solutions to the company in the boardroom at the University’s City Campus. Considering factors such as quality ratings,
environmental standards, investment opportunities and automotive experience, they then provided a comparison of the total acquisition costs between suppliers. After six gruelling weeks of project work, the final
presentations were the culmination of a highly challenging and rewarding experience for the postgraduates. Sheraz Ahmed, an MBA student who took part in the
project said: “I really enjoyed the Managing Professional Practice module and the whole experience of working on a live brief. “Our industry visit to Continental Teves UK was
particularly enlightening for all involved as it gave us first-hand experience of a company that prides itself as a world market leader, and we had invaluable information and motivation to continue working hard in our line of study. “The project is a great platform for individual
improvement but also for enhancing team work skills, and I would thoroughly recommend this experience to all prospective students.” Mark Langshaw, managing director of Continental
Teves UK at Ebbw Vale, added that the collaboration is set to help the company make savings of between £150,000 and £200,000 a year, with an investment of less than £10,000.
He said: “Working with the students allowed us to
move quickly with the project to analyse its potential and determine if there were any true savings to be made. “Their work highlighted considerable product and
transport cost savings in relocating our caliper business from a company in mainland Europe to one within the UK. From the cost and supplier analysis the students presented, we feel very confident that we will move forward with one of the UK suppliers they identified. “Their value stream analysis has also enabled us to
see additional benefits in reducing both our customer order lead-time and minimum order quantity, which help improve our inventory holding and working capital. “It is refreshing and stimulating for the industry to
work with higher education establishments as it gets our teams out of the rut that they normally work in, and exposes them to different ways of thinking. “The project has even inspired one of our team, Dan
Hartland, to sign up for a BA in Business Studies at the University of Wales, Newport, which we will sponsor him for from September!” “It is vital in today’s labour markets, with tough
economic conditions and a restricted number of jobs, that students can not only demonstrate good qualifications but also a grounding and experience in the world of business - these qualities and skills will help a student stand out to an employer when they apply for a job. “We have found that collaborating with Newport’s
University on this project to be of great benefit, and look forward to further collaboration in the future.” Catherine Tarling, project manager for e-venture,
added: “Our partnership with Continental Teves has proved to be beneficial to both the company and the University in so many aspects. “The way our students conducted themselves
throughout the whole process is a credit to themselves and to the University - and it was fantastic to see how well their hard work was received by the Continental Teves team.” Sian Jenkins, senior lecturer at the University’s
Business School, said: “The aim of the project and the Managing Professional Practice module is to introduce employability and enterprise skills into the curriculum, equipping students with the skills, confidence and qualities they need to enter the world of work and essentially bringing learning to life.” For more information go to
www.newport.ac.uk/
businessservices or contact 01633 432400 or
business@newport.ac.uk.
Stephen has a proven track record
The new Acting Vice Chancellor of Newport University has a background and commitment to business that is second to none. Professor Stephen Hagen, who was previously the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, has extensive experience in the field of university and business relations, entrepreneurship and innovation. With a successful track record
in both academia and business start ups, Professor Hagen has signalled his commitment to driving forward support for businesses in South East Wales and the creation of a new, business focused university. Andrew Wilkinson, Chair
of the University’s Board of Governors said: “Stephen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about the transformative role that universities can play within the regions where they operate.”
THEbusiness QUARTER 15
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