The Westminster Employability Awards Celebration recognises the outstanding achievements of our students and the valuable contribution made by our alumni, community partners and employers.
The evening is an opportunity to present awards to students who have successfully participated in career initiatives and hear from speakers from our flagship programmes, including the Westminster Award, our signature mentoring programme, Explore Teaching and more.
Employer and Mentor Awards
We work closely with many employers and mentors who are key to our careers and enterprise for students. These awards recognise the continuous support of our key partners. The three categories for these awards are:
Employer of the Year: Large Organisation Award)
Awarded to an organisation with more than 250 employees to recognise their dedication and contribution to improving the career prospects of our students and graduates.
Employer of the Year: Small-Medium Enterprise Award
Awarded to an SME with less than 250 employees to recognise their support and contribution to improving the career prospects of our students and graduates.
Mentor of the Year
The Mentor of the Year awards recognise mentors who have made an outstanding contribution and commitment to their mentoring relationship.
Student awards
We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our students and reward them for their efforts in continuously improving their career prospects. Read more about our initiatives:
Westminster Award
We award prizes across the three colleges to undergraduate and postgraduate students who demonstrate their personal development and commitment by attending sessions, being an active member of the community, and seeking support to help develop their career prospects, through the Westminster Award.
In line with the University's values of championing inclusion and compassion, we recognise those exceptional students who have overcome challenges to become more employable. New prize categories include personal development, outstanding contribution, sustainability champion and focus on work-based and placement learning.
Launched in 2018, this career-enhancing initiative provides a structured framework to allow students to shape their own career path. Students can qualify for a Bronze, Silver or Gold award level by taking part in a range of career-focused activities.
Placement Student Awards
Our Placement Student Awards category recognises outstanding students who have participated in developing their professional experience and knowledge of an industry by taking on a short-term or long-term placement.
The Work Experience and Placement Team works with a range of organisations, including large corporates, SME’s, charities and schools. We also collaborate closely with academics across the three Colleges, with many placements being embedded in our courses.
We believe that our students and graduates can add value to your organisation and benefit from gaining commercial awareness and experience of real-life working practices in specific industries. Find out more about recruiting our students.
Explore Teaching Awards
This award is dedicated to students or graduates who have volunteered their time as teaching assistants within London schools and colleges and have made a significant contribution in raising motivation and attainment.
Explore Teaching is a small but high-quality scheme which provides London schools and colleges with undergraduate and postgraduate students who work as volunteer teaching assistants. The volunteers are carefully selected and trained in order to complete a 15-day placement. They are usually investigating teaching careers and wish to assist with lessons whilst gaining an introduction to teaching. Many proceed to initial teacher’s training and may become teachers at their placement school.
Mentoring Scheme Awards
The Mentoring Scheme Awards category recognises students or graduates who have benefited significantly from the expertise and insight of their mentors and have grown personally and professionally as a result of their mentoring relationship.
Through our signature mentoring scheme, we match students and recent graduates with a professional who has donated their time to mentor an individual as they make their transition to the world of work.
Mentors can empower students to develop and improve their career prospects through personalised support, knowledge and insight. Through this, mentees can build a solid foundation of skills to launch a variety of successful careers. You could help steer and empower the next generation with as little as six hours of your time by becoming a mentor.
Student Ambassador Awards
The Student Ambassador Awards category recognises students for their significant contribution to our efforts to recruit students, and an outstanding level of professionalism and initiative.
The student ambassador scheme is an opportunity for students to support the major recruitment and school outreach activities on behalf of their courses and their university.
Ambassadors are trained in communication, leadership and safeguarding to help get the best out of working with school children and external partners. They are given the opportunity to develop skills and techniques that they will be able to carry forward into their future careers.
Student and graduate talent
The University of Westminster is home to over 18,000 students from 169 nationalities, speaking 150 languages. They are one of the most diverse, multicultural student bodies in the world, able to bring individual skills and talents to new employers.
Our dedicated, collaborative and flexible team is here to help you find the right student and graduate talent for your recruitment needs.
For an informal discussion about how we could support you, contact a member of the Business Engagement and Graduate Futures Team by completing our expression of interest form.
You can also email us at [email protected].
Sponsorship opportunities
We are seeking sponsorship to support this prestigious event, whilst giving you the opportunity to raise the profile of your brand to high-achieving students and attract interest in your organisation for future employment.
Your organisation will be visible to students, partner organisations, including large corporates and SMEs, and the University's academic and professional services staff.
Sponsorship could include:
- Monetary prizes for top achievers
- Internships and project opportunities for our students
- Hospitality sponsorship
If you would like to ask any questions about these awards or express your interest in sponsorship, please email us at [email protected]Email us about the annual employer awards.
