Excellence First Enterprise Company (EFEC) – a member of Cambridge Network – has launched a new programme to address challenges to attract Chinese postgraduates to the UK job market.
Claire Angus, Head of Recruitment Gateway at Cambridge Network, was on a panel at an event with EFEC Excellence First Enterprise to share insights with international students passionate about working and building their careers in Cambridge or elsewhere in the UK.
With its mature technology ecosystem, world-renowned universities and as home to a multitude of global companies, Cambridge’s technology cluster attracts a large number of international graduates.
The city’s strong economy and reputation for innovation makes it an especially attractive destination for Chinese graduates looking to start their career.
Through this initiative, Cambridge employers can select from a pool of top talent to help grow their businesses. Excellence First Enterprise Company is aware of fierce competition to attract the best employees.
There are various challenges to address in attracting postgraduates and EFEC is delighted to launch this new initiative to help address the issue in 2023.
The EFEC team have developed an intensive programme which includes understanding cultural and work norms; the ‘softer’ skills that most employers need; and how to present these through the job applications process. The aim is to enable the graduates to communicate with prospective employers more effectively.
EFEC has access to large numbers of highly qualified graduates who are Chinese nationals, whose experience studying in the UK has led them to want to build careers here. It prepares these graduates to make a successful transition from study into the UK workplace.
The graduates have the appropriate academic qualifications and many of the attributes and attitudes employers seek. However, there are significant differences in cultures in the workplace, expectations and norms, between the UK and China and this is where EFEC focuses its work.
Its coaches and mentors work with the graduates to make sure they learn about what matters in succeeding at work in the UK and the ‘soft skills’ specific employers require and how to use them.
EFEC develops their outlooks and adjusts their expectations and helps them apply for jobs.
Claire Angus commented: “The conference with Excellence First and Cambridge University Urban Cluster was excellent; I was impressed to meet with such an enthusiastic group of people keen to build relationships with Cambridge businesses.
“The Recruitment Gateway at Cambridge Network plans to continue to support Excellence First on its mission to share talent from overseas – including inviting them to facilitate one of our Recruitment Peer Learning group meetings later this year so that they can share details of their talent pool with Cambridge Network members.”
- EFEC is looking to partner with employers seeking top talent. Get in touch by visiting www.excellence-first.com