Morrisons
Morrisons is a Bradford based business which has based it's operations in the city for over a century. Working with the University of Bradford for over a decade now the company has stayed true to it's heritage and focused on evolving and developing in the region which it has roots in.
Over recent years the company has undertaken a number of changes but continues to keep to their commitment of building and developing in the local area. It has continually expanded it's relationship with the University of Bradford due to the mutual commitment to community-based work and support with enhanced results.
A range of projects have been undertaken including the Degree Apprenticeship programme which evolved from the previous sponsored degree programmes. They continue to get involved with other activities including Career Booster week where they have delivered sessions to the Faculty of Management, Law and Social Sciences aiming to develop employability and soft skills.
Degree apprenticeship programmes
Morrisons and the School of Management have been in collaboration since 2010 initially delivering a BSc Business & Management sponsored degree programme. This programme ran for 7 years before evolving into the current Degree Apprenticeship Programme which has seen 6 cohorts of student undertake teaching at the University.
The programme focuses in on four different business areas; logistics, retail, manufacturing and corporate. By combining all four business areas into a single cohort the students get an in depth understanding of business operations and get to work as a team from day one over the course of their programme whilst also getting valuable work experience as they study.
The University of Bradford and Morrisons have spent time developing and tweaking the programme to get the best results for Morrisons. Students study schedules are built around the business needs of the company so they get to make the most of the experience working where they are handed their own projects and teams to develop their skills, apply learning and develop management skills.
-(1)-(1)-(1)-719x480.jpg)
Helen and the coaches make the realness of the programme as easy as possible by providing a support network to students. Despite challenges they help to keep people on track and working towards a career with Morrisons.
Emma Cooksley, Morrisons Early Careers Manager
Shared and added values
Morrisons Early Careers Manager Emma Cooksley has seen the benefits of a working relationship with the University of Bradford and main liaison Helen Preece. A number of graduates from the original sponsored degree programme now sit on the leadership team of the company which comprises of the top 50 decisions makers for Morrisons.
Helen leads the CMI End Point Assessment in which 100% of students in the 2022 cohort achieved a distinction or merit. Helen and the coaches at the University provide support as students undertake full time employment for the company whilst continuing to study. The intense work schedule focuses on providing real life opportunities to students to deliver projects and tasks expected of experienced employees.
The University helps to develop the resiliency required in their working environment which was showcased during the Covid-19 pandemic where students worked and studied remotely but continued to deliver top academic results. Many of these students have continued to thrive in their early careers and now manage their own teams.
Their is a mutual focus on getting things right and delivering the best experiences and opportunities to students. Emma has worked across a number of schemes and programmes but values the input that Helen and other coaches continue to offer which gives love, care and attention to the detail of the programme making it a success.
This is a strong relationship between a local business and the University which provides a strong level of output to all involved.
Helen Preece, University of Bradford Associate Professor
Focused on the future
In addition to the efforts on the Degree Apprenticeship Programme and Career Booster Morrisons continues to collaborate with the University in other ways. Alumni from the programme have supported in delivering degree programmes at the University as guest lecturers including lectures in logistics and supply chains.
Top level management from the company have delivered teaching to the programme and as a guest lecturer including directors and executives who strongly value the input they can provide to the region.
In the future Emma and Helen aim to continue delivering the programme and offering the opportunity to all four key areas of the business. The programme offers a strong opportunity to start embedding the teamwork skills required into cohorts of students who will embed themselves into the business environment and understand the complexities of work.