Businesses across the North West are being given additional support to recruit Ulster University placement students, helping local employers access emerging skills and talent while providing students with valuable experience in the region.
Through Local Economic Partnership (LEP) funding supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council, 27 local businesses can receive a £4,000 stipend towards recruiting an Ulster University student for a minimum 26-week placement.
As part of the LEP-funded support, Ulster will also provide a further 44 businesses with fully funded, shorter-term internship opportunities. The four-to-six-week internships will support SMEs and organisations in the creative arts sector to benefit from the skills and talent of an Ulster University student or graduate.
The opportunities were highlighted at Ulster University’s Business Breakfast, Connecting Talent, Innovation and Growth in the North West, held at its Derry~Londonderry campus and sponsored by Ulster Bank.
Bringing together employers, civic and economic development partners, students and University colleagues, the event showcased practical ways businesses can work with Ulster to access skills, innovation and support for growth.
Alongside the placement support, businesses heard about funded student and graduate internships, opportunities to engage with Ulster’s community of student entrepreneurs and freelancers, access to research and innovation expertise, and workforce development and upskilling.
Professor Angela Scanlon, Director of Student and Graduate Success at Ulster University, said:
“For a local business, bringing a placement student or graduate into their organisation can provide valuable additional skills, fresh thinking and capacity, while giving our students the opportunity to gain significant experience with employers here in the North West.
“Through this support, 27 businesses can receive £4,000 towards a longer-term student placement, while a further 44 businesses will benefit from fully funded, shorter-term internships with an Ulster student or graduate.
“There are also many other ways businesses can engage with Ulster – whether through graduate internships, supporting student entrepreneurs, accessing innovation expertise or developing the skills of their workforce. These partnerships can support business growth while creating more opportunities for our students and graduates to build their careers in the North West.”
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald added:
“This initiative, funded by my Department, is helping to connect North West businesses with the skills and talent they need to grow, innovate and compete.
“Creating opportunities for Ulster University students and graduates to build their careers locally helps regional balance and complements the expansion of Magee as a key driver of prosperity across the North West.”
Steven Lindsay, President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and Board Member of Derry City and Strabane District Council LEP, said:
“Access to the right skills and talent is fundamental to the growth of businesses across the North West, and this placement support provides a practical way for more local employers to bring emerging talent into their organisations.
“Strengthening the connections between our business community and Ulster University also gives employers an opportunity to share what they need and explore the wider support and expertise available to them.
“Collaboration of this kind is important as we work collectively to support business growth, retain talent and strengthen the regional economy.”
The event heard directly from employers and students about the impact of placements, including FinTrU’s Erin King and final-year Ulster University students Caitlin Lowry, BSc (Hons) Marketing, and Conan McGowan, LLB (Hons) Law with Irish.
Ulster’s Graduate Futures team also outlined opportunities for businesses to work with the University’s emerging entrepreneurs, including through mentoring, masterclasses and specialist business support. Since 2020, more than 100 students have launched over 80 businesses through Ulster University’s Enterprise Placement Year (EPY). Building on this success, a further 32 third-year students will launch 16 new ventures through the programme in the 2026/27 academic year.
Subsequent sessions highlighted the support available through Ulster University’s Research and Innovation team, alongside workforce development and upskilling opportunities. These initiatives were presented by Emma Donnelly, Student and Graduate Enterprise Officer; Professor Michaela Keenan, Associate Dean of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment; and Aisling Reid, Business Relationship Manager, Ulster University Business School.
The event also included the presentation of the Ulster Bank Entrepreneurial Pathway Award to student Beth Jackson by Erin Harron from Ulster Bank.