Launch of BuisnessWise

For the second year running Capita Symonds’ has launched ‘BusinessWise’ - a groundbreaking graduate business skills development programme designed in partnership with Urban Vision and the University of Salford.

28 members of staff from Capita Symonds offices in Blackburn, Colwyn Bay, Cumbria, Cwmbran, Durham, East Grinstead, Glamorgan, London, Salford and Sefton are signed up to start the two-year programme. The new intake of graduates will join the 45 students who commenced BusinessWise in 2008 and are just about to start their second year.

Students will complete a 'Postgraduate Certificate in Business Performance Management' which has been specifically developed for Capita Symonds and Urban Vision. Much of the teaching will take place at Capita Symonds’ offices with one module also featuring a two day retreat at a camp in Snowdonia.

Teaching on each module is delivered jointly - University lecturers cover the theory behind a range of business topics while key specialists from Capita Symonds translate it into a Capita Symonds context.

Graham Cowley, Chief Operating Officer of Capita Symonds Regions division said: “We are keen to develop our graduates in a holistic way, ensuring their technical skills are complemented with more broad based business skills. This course provides graduates with the knowledge they need to make the right business decisions and that is important now more than ever. Feedback on this programme to date has been fantastic which is why there was no question it would be delivered again in 2009”.

Renata Eyres, Head of Partnerships & Business Engagement at the University of Salford said: “We have been particularly impressed by the innovative and creative approach taken to the co-development and co-delivery of the ‘BusinessWise’ programme, which has enabled the creation of a programme of development that combines academic rigour with business specific skills.”