Graduate Accelerator: Intensive coaching and group training

Graduate Accelerator: Intensive coaching and group training

Provider: Leeds Trinity University

Eligibility: You must be aged 19+ and live in West Yorkshire and have graduated in the last 5 years

Industry: Mixed

Dates: January 2024 - October 2024 

Duration: It is expected that you will complete the course over 6-8 weeks, although this may be longer if you want to wait for a particular face-to-face day.

Venue: Varying venues:

• University of Leeds
• University of Bradford
• Leeds Beckett University
• University of Huddersfield
• Leeds Trinity University
• Leeds Arts University
• Leeds Conservatoire
• Wakefield College
• Calderdale College
• University College Leeds
• Bradford College

If we are unable to secure space at the partner institutions, we may offer sessions at privately hired venues in Leeds, Huddersfield or Bradford city centres.

What does this course cover?

PARTICIPANT JOURNEY
The Graduate Accelerator programme offers you up to five one-to-one online coaching sessions with an experienced coach and guidance practitioner.

Your first coaching session will be a diagnostic and introductory session, where we’ll check your eligibility for the programme and discuss your current situation, motivation and goals.

Over the course of the rest of the programme, you’ll be required to attend 3-5 hours of one-to-one coaching, and six hours of face-to-face training, either as a one-day event or as two three-hour sessions.

Each of the face-to-face training sessions will cover core content on job seeking and applying for jobs, such as researching and gaining insight into your chosen sector, understanding formal and informal recruitment processes, and communicating transferable skills and experience

We’ll also use your first coaching session to decide which of the following themes will be right for you.

WORKING IN THE UK
This theme is aimed at international graduates who are planning to apply for a Graduate Visa and work in the UK. We’ll focus on the skills shortage and high-growth areas in West Yorkshire, particularly professional services and digital, but graduates who are seeking work in other sectors will also benefit. In addition to a strong focus on UK recruitment practices and applications, you’ll find out more about:

• Growth areas and opportunities in West Yorkshire.
• Applying for NI numbers and graduate visas.
• Your observation about UK culture and how these might apply in the workplace.
• Cultural competence and communication skills.
• Introduction to UK employment law and what to expect.
• Action planning and next steps (including self-directed learning). 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE
This theme is aimed at you if you know you want to work with people and make a difference, but you still need some help figuring out what that means in practice or finding work that fits your values. In addition to the core content, which will look at both formal and informal recruitment practices, you’ll:

• Discuss your motivation and values.
• Understand the sector landscape—public sector, voluntary/third sector, social enterprise and private.
• Find out about the types of work available, career pathways and qualifications.
• Look at key skills and attributes in this area, and how you can demonstrate transferable communication and customer service skills.
• Practice active listening skills
• Consider safeguarding and privacy.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
This theme is for you if you want to move into leadership and management roles, or to understand how to make more of an impact in an individual contributor role through developing commercial awareness and managing up. in addition to the core content on job seeking and applications, you'll look at:  

• Definitions of leadership and management
• Commercial awareness
• Team dynamics
• Setting SMART objectives
• Assertive communication
• Problem solving and decision-making
• Evaluation and improvement 

In addition to the taught hours, you’ll be expected to undertake around 6 hours of self-directed learning. Pre- and post-teaching tasks will be assigned, as will independent learning and activity between coaching sessions.

The programme will take 6-8 weeks to complete, although there is flexibility depending on your availability.

What next?

All themes and coaching is designed to support graduates in securing graduate-level (professional or managerial) employment, moving into further study, or taking on new responsibilities in your current role.