Ultimate Products launches ‘UP Academy’ in partnership with Oldham College
Oldham-based bargain brands firm Ultimate Products has launched an initiative to help students in the town gain valuable work-place experience, with the possibility of a full-time job.
In partnership with Oldham College, its UP Academy will enable students to develop work-related skills and gain valuable professional experience within Ultimate Products.
It is aimed at final year college students who have chosen not to continue their academic studies at university, and up to 10 places will be offered in the first year of the UP Academy to carefully selected applicants.
The UP Academy course will last approximately 10 months and will give the students experience of a wide variety of departments within Ultimate Products, with the possibility of full time employment on the successful completion of the course.
Craig Holden, Ultimate Products group HR and operations director, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Oldham College on this exciting initiative, which is all about providing career opportunities for Oldham’s talented college leavers within our dynamic, successful and international business.
“College leavers are increasingly opting not to go down the university route and we are delighted to be tapping into a new pool of local talent whilst also providing the successful applicants with the necessary support, guidance and training that they will need to thrive in a successful business like Ultimate Products.
“We look forward very much to welcoming the first intake of students to Ultimate Products in November, and sincerely hope that this will be the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Oldham College.”
The UP Academy will run separately to the company’s established graduate scheme, which recently welcomed its 100th graduate.
In the last year alone the scheme recruited 47 graduates across 18 different entry-level roles and within nine different key departments.
In addition the company is also launching a ‘Grad+’ scheme, which caters for recent graduates who have gained around 12 months’ work experience and are keen to kick-start their careers with Ultimate Products.
In June this year Ultimate Products acquired the rights to the Kleeneze brand – one of Britain’s oldest catalogue companies – from administrators.
Accrington-based Kleeneze sold a range of homeware, health and beauty, clothing and Christmas products. It employed more than 70 staff at a warehouse in Heywood.
