Member Article

University of Hertfordshire confirms expansion of UK’s largest assessment centre in Partnership with Smart Resourcing Solutions

Smart Resourcing Solutions (SRS) are delighted to have been confirmed as the chosen supplier to work with the University of Hertfordshire on their award-winning Assessment Centre Experience (ACE) programme for students.

Having begun as a pilot event in Autumn 2016 for 400 students, ACE has grown year on year to become the largest employability event in the UK. This November will see over 3000 students attend an ACE event at Watford FC’s Vicarage Road Stadium.

ACE has become well-known throughout the university and is now embedded within the majority of undergraduate degree courses at the institution, giving second year students an outstanding opportunity to take part in a realistic mock assessment centre with bespoke assessment materials directly relating to their degree choice.

After attending ACE 2017 with a fellow governor colleague, Chair of Governors Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss said: “The whole morning, - team working, presentations and interviews were of the highest calibre and our students were blessed to have such high quality, intense development and feedback from experienced ‘real word’ professionals, I doubt they will ever experience such a transformational event in their future careers. We made a point of expressing our admiration of the assessment training initiative at the university governors board meeting and asked that our appreciation be recorded and minuted.”

Students attending ACE report a huge increase in confidence about applying for placements and graduate schemes and each year brings success stories of students securing jobs. The initiative received recognition from the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) in 2018 winning an award at the annual ISE Development Awards.

Judith Baines, Head of Careers and Employment at the University said: “Careers and Employment at the University of Hertfordshire are delighted that the university recognises the benefits of the Assessment Centre Experience (ACE) and has funded another year of growth for 2019. We expect over 3000 students will attend the experience at Watford Football Club and we are looking forward to working with Smart Resourcing Solutions once again.”

Managing Director at SRS, Sophie Milliken commented: “We love working with all the staff and students at the University of Hertfordshire on what is a really special project with significant impact for the students. The support we receive at the venue from F3 is always outstanding and we all look forward to providing over 3000 students with a brilliant learning experience this year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rachael Cook .