University of Portsmouth offers free AI support and graduate recruitment opportunities for businesses
As Bonfire Night lights up the November skies, the University of Portsmouth is looking to spark new opportunities for local businesses.
From exploring how AI could save your business time and money, to connecting with emerging graduate talent, Becky Miles, shares two ways businesses can benefit from working with the University.
Could your business benefit from connecting with talented students, raising its profile and developing your team's recruitment skills?
The University of Portsmouth is inviting local businesses and professionals to take part in its Career Readiness Experience Days, taking place from 8–11 February 2027.
Organised by the University's Careers and Employability team, the initiative gives second-year Humanities students valuable experience of real-world recruitment processes.
What's in it for your business?
By volunteering, your organisation can:
- Connect with emerging talent – meet students preparing to enter the workplace and build relationships with potential future employees.
- Raise your business profile – feature on a dedicated website, showcasing your organisation and any placement or graduate opportunities.
- Develop your team's skills – give colleagues valuable experience of conducting interviews and providing constructive feedback.
- Support the local talent pipeline – help equip the next generation of graduates with the confidence and skills employers need.
What's involved?
Volunteers will conduct short, 10-minute mock interviews with students, followed by brief feedback sessions.
Interview questions and guidance are provided in advance, so no additional preparation is required. It's a straightforward way to make a meaningful contribution while gaining something valuable for your business.
Get involved
Whether you're a small business, a large employer or an individual professional, we'd love to hear from you.
For more information, contact [email protected].
Could AI save your business time and money? Find out for free
Could AI help your business cut costs, improve efficiency or automate time-consuming tasks? The University of Portsmouth is inviting local organisations to find out, completely free of charge.
Through LEAP-AI (Local Employer-led AI Professional Practice), businesses can access University expertise and work with supervised engineering students to explore practical AI solutions to real-world challenges.
Whether it's automating customer enquiries, streamlining paperwork or solving complex engineering problems, you don't need AI expertise or a ready-made solution. Just bring a challenge you'd like to tackle.
What's in it for your business?
Free access to expertise – work with University academics and final-year or Master's engineering students.
- Practical solutions – receive a tested prototype, findings and guidance on potential running costs.
- No financial commitment – participation is free, with approved prototype development costs covered.
- Access emerging talent – opportunities for funded summer placements, subject to availability.
You'll decide whether to take any solution further, with no obligation to proceed.
Funded by the UK Government through Innovate UK, LEAP-AI is inviting challenges this autumn for projects potentially starting in January 2027. Click here to find out more.