Burnley College University Courses (BCUC) recently joined forces with Meritec Ltd to provide a live classroom brief to help Business and Management students as part of their degree-level learning.

The initiative was created on the back of a recent YAB networking event, where the two organisations discussed the various ways, they could work together to make a difference and create a positive impact for students.

Industry engagement in live assignment briefs like this can serve as a stepping stone for students to connect with professionals, mentors, and potential future employers. The interactions they have during these assignments can open doors to internships, job opportunities, and valuable insights that can't be found in textbooks.

Adam Gardner and Alex Abbey of Meritec were invited to present to the students, giving an overview of Meritec’s 27-year history, along with a current challenge which could then be used as part of the student’s business consulting module.

Meritec are a Leading technology, software and services company specialising in delivering unique digital transformation and e-awareness solutions. Meritec recently opened its third office in Burnley, joining its Skipton HQ and Warrington locations and has plans to play a big role within their local business community.

Alex Abbey Head of Sales and Marketing at Meritec said It's great to see BCUC and Meritec Ltd collaborating to enhance the learning experience for Business and Management students. Such initiatives bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the real-world, offering students practical insights. It’s been a really rewarding experience for myself and I’m looking forward to seeing how the students combat the challenges presented. We shall look forward to supporting them further.

Annabel Culpan, course leader and lecturer at BCUC said I’m incredibly grateful to the team at Meritec for engaging with our students in this way. I could see lightbulb moments all around the classroom and it was clear the students were eager to get stuck into this live brief, it was fantastic.

We’re always looking to work closely with our local community, and this was another great example of how collaboration can benefit many.

For more information about Meritec and its services please visit www.meritec.co.uk and to find out more about studying for a degree-level qualification ay BCUC, visit www.burnley.ac.uk/university