University News Last updated 24 July
A pioneering partnership bringing together Birmingham's universities, public services and employers has won two major awards recognising its impact on graduate employability.
Led by Birmingham City University, Graduate Re-Tune secured honours at both the Graduate Futures Awards and the ISE Awards.
Graduate Re-Tune is delivered in partnership with Aston University, the University of Birmingham, University College Birmingham, the National Careers Service, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and Birmingham and Solihull Jobcentre Plus.
The initiative supports graduates across the region by connecting them with employment opportunities while helping employers access diverse, highly skilled talent.
At the Graduate Futures Awards, which attracted more than 200 submissions from across the UK and Ireland, Graduate Re-Tune won the Graduate Impact Award.
The programme was recognised for its innovative multi-agency approach, strong focus on supporting underrepresented graduates, and distinctive in-work progression model, with judges highlighting its measurable and scalable impact on graduate outcomes.
The partnership also received national recognition at the ISE Awards 2026, winning the Collaboration for Impact in Early Talent category.
Judges praised its coordinated, place-based approach to early careers development and its success in bringing together higher education, government agencies and employers to improve access to graduate opportunities.
Russell Jeans, Director of Engagement at Birmingham City University, said: "These awards are fantastic recognition of what can be achieved when universities, public services and employers work together.
"Graduate Re-Tune is about creating real opportunities, connecting diverse talent with employers, and ensuring more graduates can contribute to the region's economy. We're proud to have led a partnership that is making such a meaningful difference."
Angie Robinson, Head of Student and Employed Engagement at Aston University, said: "Finding a graduate job is not simply a question of talent. Some graduates have stronger professional networks, greater confidence or more knowledge of how to navigate the recruitment process than others.
"Graduate Re-Tune helps address that imbalance by bringing universities, public services and employers together around the individual. It means graduates can access opportunities and practical support beyond their own institution, while employers are introduced to talented people they might not otherwise reach.
"These awards are welcome recognition of a collaborative approach that can improve individual lives while helping Birmingham and the wider region retain the skills its economy needs."
Melissa Willis, Director of Student Employability (Higher Education) at University College Birmingham, said: "University College Birmingham is proud to be part of Graduate Re-Tune, a partnership that reflects our commitment to supporting graduates beyond graduation and helping them access meaningful opportunities across the region.
"By connecting talented graduates with local employers, we are not only supporting individual career success but also contributing to the skills, growth and resilience of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands economy."
Mark Whitehouse, Employer and Partnership Lead for DWP Birmingham, said: "We are delighted to see this partnership recognised. Its success is a testament to the commitment, professionalism and collaboration of our recruitment advisers and work coaches, whose support has helped many graduates secure rewarding career opportunities.
"At the same time, their work has enabled employers to recruit talented, motivated and work-ready individuals, delivering positive outcomes for everyone involved."
Graduate Re-Tune's core aim is to provide tailored, progression-focused careers support to unemployed and underemployed graduates registered with Jobcentre Plus, regardless of which higher education institution they attended.
Key features of the programme include structured diagnostics, dedicated consultant relationships, multi-channel delivery, and a defining in-work progression model. It is designed to provide continuity, supporting graduates not only into employment but also through the challenges of early career progression.
Graduate Re-Tune has already built a strong track record of national recognition, having won the Excellence in Building Effective Partnerships category at the 2022 Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Awards.
The latest accolades reinforce the partnership's reputation as a leading example of collaborative, place-based employability support, demonstrating how organisations across the region can work together to improve graduate outcomes and strengthen the local economy.
Pictured: Graduate Re-Tune celebrates success at the Graduate Futures Awards. From left: Melissa Willis (Director of Student Employability, University College Birmingham), Alex Innes (Access Learning, who presented the award), Sandeep Solanki (Graduate Re-Tune Programme Manager, Birmingham City University), Jason Coke (Youth Hub Work Coach, Department for Work and Pensions), Uwais Kasujee (Graduate Re-Tune Consultant, Department for Work and Pensions), Robyn Fisher-Payne (Acting Head of Skills & Community Projects, Birmingham City University), and Saba Javed (Graduate & Student Employability Manager, University of Birmingham).