SBS finance bootcamp makes shortlist in Academic Employability Awards
Strathclyde Business School has made the shortlist for the Academic Employability Awards in the 'Technology for Employability' category for the Department of Accounting and Finance's finance bootcamp.
The awards recognise outstanding contributions from academics across the UK and Republic of Ireland in embedding employability within higher education. Organised by AGCAS in partnership with Universities UK, GuildHE and the Institute of Student Employers, they celebrate excellence in teaching employability skills in the curriculum and provide a platform to share good practice across the higher education sector.
Strathclyde has also made the shortlist for the "Enterprise and Entrepreneurship' category. The nomination for this showcases the work Strathclyde does in equipping students and graduates with the skills to thrive as freelancers, entrepreneurs, and self-starters and includes key initiatives such as the Exploring Entrepreneurship Challenge, the Exploring Entrepreneurship Module, and the Vertically Integrated Projects for Sustainable Development Programme.
The awards overall attracted an overwhelming response, with hundreds of high-quality submissions showcasing the innovative and impactful ways universities are equipping students with the skills needed for the evolving world of work. The entries show a high level of collaboration across the sector, with academics, careers professionals and industry representatives often coming together to shape employability teaching.
Shortlisted entries – 44 universities in total – span a diverse range of geographies and institutions, from research-intensive universities to smaller specialist providers, demonstrating the sector-wide commitment to employability centred curricula and learning. The exceptional standard of submissions underscores the pioneering work being done to integrate employability into teaching, assessment, and curriculum design, ensuring graduates are prepared to thrive in a competitive job market.
Professor Graeme Acheson, head of the Department of Accounting and Finance said, "We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the annual bootcamp we offer to students across our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. The week-long bootcamp is offered in partnership with AmplifyME, a global financial trading and training company. Our bootcamp allows our students not just to learn about finance but to live it through the interactive finance simulations they can take part in. The bootcamp receives excellent feedback from students every year for what is a practical, hands on and high calibre experience for them and the bootcamp ties in so well with our ethos of 'useful learning' here at Strathclyde. We look forward to hearing the results in April."
AGCAS Chief Executive Martin Edmondson commented, “The sheer volume and quality of submissions highlight the dedication of academics in driving forward employability-focused education. Embedding careers and employability in the curriculum is the new normal, and being driven by the collective effort of careers teams and academics. These awards celebrate the creativity, collaboration, and impact of initiatives that are not only transforming student futures but also addressing the skills needs of employers and the wider economy.”
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on April 24 at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, London.
Published: 5 March 2025
