Developing student autonomy and Employability through the Venture Matrix
Simon Clark Programme Director, Enterprise and Technology ACES
What is the Venture Matrix? The venture matrix is an interactive 'trading estate' of virtual and real companies.
The VM aims to………
• support learning through experience • develop autonomous and highly employable graduates equipped for the career of their choice. • provide a framework for innovation and the development of creative ideas and opportunities which are socially and commercially diverse. • increase the numbers of successful graduate start-ups, particularly in the region. • develop employability
"Virtual" companies are formed within courses to allow students to: • try out creative ideas of enterprise and entrepreneurship in a safe environment • have a realistic work related experience suited to their study • access the diversity of learning and skill of other Venture Matrix companies • enhance negotiation and collaborative working skills • understand their potential through self appraisal and evaluation • communicate and work with external companies
How it operates: • Opportunities gathered from within the University and internal and external businesses. • Student groups formed ventures to consider these – or as year proceeds - their own opportunities. • To trade, all student ventures apply to join the VM. • Once “approved” they are funded and registered on the VM web site. • Each has to create their own USP – and compete for business in emerging world… • "Trade shows" operate through the year - groups networked and established small consortia. • Ventures bid for "funding" to develop their solutions.
A typical Trade Show:
Types of Opportunity Type I Student to Student Opportunity
Type II: Internal Opportunity
• SAS Quality Enhancement - M arket Research: Student perception on assessment feedback inc. questionnaires & focus group • SHU TEXT: market research on the viability of texting students, with timetabling information • Enterprise Centre - Hatchery Team: Website update
Type III: Opportunities at Schools & Colleges Hubs Hair Salon Day - Sheffield College
Stop the Clock (BiG Challenge) - City School
Type IV: External Organisation Opportunity
• Real work experience • Venture Matrix students organising end of year awards ceremony evening for social enterprise - Football Unites Racism Divides
VM Pilot 07/08: unexpected outcomes Engaged students (~ 500) from Business, Technology, Media, Communications, Computing, Sport, Law and Engineering. • Second year students progression onto Placements increased by 40% • 10 students started up real businesses from their VM experiences
Student Engagement
900 800 700 600 500
2007/2008 2008/2009
400
2009/2010 2010/2011
300 200 100 0 ACES
D& S
H& W
O&M
Student Comments: •
"Through the Matrix I have developed practical engagement attributes you cannot learn from a textbook."
•
"As a project manager I have benefited from developing my management skills and in particular managing the final year students as a level 5 student"
•
"Before I got involved with Venture Matrix I used to shy away from situations like this. I would act shy and try not to get involved in the discussion. I feel this area is now one of my stronger attributes. I feel confident to speak out and generate discussion between group members. This is vital skill as I am currently preparing from my placement year."
Future Developments • Sheffield Hallam website 09/10 •
Prospectus 10/11
• Student involvement 865 to 1250 by 09/10 • External organisation involvement 12 to 30 09/10 • Possible 2 year funding for School & College Liaison Officer (ERDF)
Any Questions?