Latest Employer Academy Focuses on Marketing and Product Development Skills

Business students at Derby College will be working with the UK’s leading designers of triathlon wetsuits, apparel and accessories thanks to a new partnership initiative.

Students enrolling on the BTEC level three Business course at the College this September will have the chance to join the new Huub Marketing and Product Development Academy.

Students will gain valuable work experience at Derby-based Huub Design, take part in marketing and product development projects and will have a guaranteed interview with the growing company at the end of their two-year course.

Applications are now being taken for the Huub Marketing and Product Development Academy which will start in September. An open day for potential students to find out more will be held at the Roundhouse campus in Pride Park on Monday August 10 between 1pm and 3pm.

Huub Design have won a string of industry awards including for the best and most innovative brand for their pioneering wetsuit designs which are worn by many top athletes including the Olympic medallist Brownlee brothers as well as celebrity triathletes such as Jenson Button and Gordon Ramsay.

Huub wetsuits have been designed to improve a swimmer's position in the water, making them more hydrodynamic with improved buoyancy and stroke efficiency. They allow biceps and calf muscles to move more freely and feature a specially designed fast breakaway zipper.

Huub founder and owner Dean Jackson explained: “I am delighted to be working alongside Derby College to include Business students in our marketing and product development work.

“We are a growing company with an enviable reputation in the triathlon world which is the UK’s fastest growing sport – incorporating swimming, cycling and running into a single competition.

“From starting as a small company in my garage, we have built up Huub which is now the wetsuit of choice with triathletes throughout the world thanks to inspired product research and development backed by innovative and creative marketing

“And we are constantly developing the range with new and innovative products to enhance the performance of triathletes.

“I am looking forward to sharing our expertise and to gaining input from young, ambitious students who will be working alongside the team here on product research and marketing for the UK and international markets.

“I am Derby born and bred and committed to working with organisations such as Derby College to support the education of young people coming into the workplace.

“All the Business students on the Academy will be offered an interview at the end of their course for potential future roles in the business. Regardless of the outcome, the work experience and additional knowledge that students gain through the Academy will greatly enhance their Higher Education and career prospects.”

The Huub Marketing and Product Development Academy is part of an innovative programme designed by Derby College to work in partnership with employers across a wide range of industry sectors to better prepare young people for the world of work.

It joins the Derby Telegraph Media Sales Academy, Hodgkinson Brickwork Academy, Cricket Derbyshire Sports and Hospitality Academies, epm:technology Advanced Composites Academy and The Finesse Collection Professional Cookery Academy – with students in all those areas gaining work experience and interviews for potential future apprenticeship and job opportunities.

Derby College Business Development Director April Hayhurst added: “We now have seven Employer Academies in place which all provide exciting opportunities for students enrolling this September on Business, Construction, Sport, Hospitality, Professional Cookery and Engineering programmes at the College.

“All of these vocations have been identified by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership as growth areas with potential future skills shortages and the Employer Academies therefore address this in a new and innovative way.

“Business leaders’ quite rightly highlight that they need young people to be better prepared for the workplace.

“The work experience that students will gain as part of their courses will help to develop the personal skills and attitudes that employers are looking for and will help to shape young people’s career aspirations.”

For more information about the Academy programme, visit www.derby-college.ac.uk or call 0800 028 0289.

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