Glamorgan businesses backing education for success

In an innovative approach to creating the business leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow three local companies are putting up £2,000 of their own money to sponsor students to study degrees at the University of Glamorgan Business School.

Led by Pontypridd-based company Complete Background Screening (CBS) - Rachel Bedgood (left) of CBS with Monica Gibson-Sweet, Dean of the Glamorgan Business School School - is the scheme launch this week offers a unique package of financial support and mentoring for aspiring business men and women.

The Business Opportunities Scheme, known as BOSS, will award scholarships to students who can demonstrate a unique flair for business as well as a passion for the subject.

Applicants must be committed to studying at the University’s Business School from September 2010 in any area of business including management, entrepreneurship, marketing, human resource management, accounting and supply chain and logistics.

The winning applicant will be awarded £1,000 by CBS to help with the cost of their studies. In addition there will be two scholarships of £500 awarded to the runners-up and funded by The Big Country Adventures Ltd and local entrepreneur Clayton Jones.

As well as providing financial support, the companies participating will provide support as a mentor to the successful winners as well as work experience opportunities.

Rachel Bedgood Director of CBS said: "As a company we are keen to invest in the business talent of the future, and this scholarship programme is an excellent way of us supporting the best students. I hope that over the coming years more companies will sign up to the BOSS scheme so that we can extend the awards to a greater numbers of students."

Monica Gibson-Sweet, Dean of the Glamorgan Business School said, “The Business School values its links with local employers and this scheme is a demonstration of the close relationships we have with the business community. We are very focused on the employability of our graduates whether they are employed by companies or become self-employed and become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. We very much look forward to working with the founding companies and hope to see the BOSS scheme grow in the future.”

In order to apply for a BOSS award, potential students must be able to convince the sponsors of that they have what it takes by writing why they have chosen to study business and what they hope to achieve as a Glamorgan business graduate. The winners will be announced in May 2010. Full details of how to apply can be found on the CBS website www.cbscreening.com

Closing date for applications for the scholarship is 30th March 2010. For further detailed information about how to apply can also be found on the University of Glamorgan website: www.glam.ac.uk/money