Chamber Patrons
Aston Uni boosts graduate earnings
Aston University does more to boost the earnings of its graduates than nearly every other university in the UK, according to a new study by The Economist. The analysis, based on a comparison of actual and estimated earnings,
found that Aston graduates earned on average £2,966 more than expected five years after graduation. In its conclusion, the study called into question the true value of elite
universities. It said: “The analysis shows that it is not always the famous universities
that make the biggest difference. Focusing too much attention on elite universities may be ill-advised if much of their success is attributable to the calibre of students they attract. It can be better to study what goes on in Portsmouth and Aston than in Oxford and Cambridge.” The ranking compared the actual earnings of graduates with an estimate
of what they were expected to earn. This estimate is based on several factors, including the subjects people
study, their exam results at school, age, family income, whether they went to private or state school and where the university was located. Professor Alec Cameron, Vice Chancellor of Aston University, said: “As
the analysis itself notes, a university is as good as its students, and we have a unique ability to attract extremely talented students who might not always come from the most privileged background, but are willing to work hard to forge a lucrative and rewarding career for themselves. “We have performed well in this ranking because of the work we do to
prepare our students for a top career. “Nearly 70 per cent of our undergraduates carry out work placements as
part of their degree programmes. “We inform the content of our courses by consulting regularly with
businesses to ensure our students learn the skills they’re looking for. “That’s why four in five of our graduates will have a graduate-level job or move into further study within six months of graduation.”
A birthday treat from the archives
National Express is lifting the lid on its archives with the release of rare and unseen material from as far back as 1966 to celebrate 45 years of service and 3.5 billion miles of coach travel. National Express has clocked up
25 million road miles around the UK already this year - a distance equating more than a thousand times around the world. The famous intercity coach
operator traces its origins to 1972 when scheduled coach services run were united under one brand known as ‘National’. Managing director Chris Hardy
said: “National Express is turning 45 and like any good birthday we thought it would be fun to ‘open the family album’ and lift the lid on our archive – including some previously unseen material – in a bid to make people smile.”
In Brief
Midland Heart have entered a partnership with construction company Bouygues UK and Coventry City Council in a £4.2m housing scheme, supported by funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Five apprentices are learning
the tricks of the trade on a housing development in Coventry. Head of Development at
Midland Heart, Anna-Maria Edwards, said: “We are extremely proud that our partnership work with Bouygues UK is providing apprenticeships and training opportunities to help people start their career in the constructions industry.”
Birmingham’s NEC had a record breaking 12 months as organisers continued to make the venue their first choice for exhibitions. The venue hosted 156
exhibitions in 2016, with annual shows boasting an impressive 99 per cent retention rate. The exhibition centre is
enjoying further success this year with several major launches, including This Morning Live. In 2015 and 2016, 36 new
shows launched at the NEC, while relocated shows have grown by an average of 17 per cent.
September 2017 CHAMBERLINK 25
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