The Derby Accord

A Partnership for Skills, Talent, Innovation and Growth

The Derby Accord is a collaborative initiative uniting industry, the University of Derby, and civic partners to strengthen skills, build sustainable talent pipelines, and support inclusive economic growth across Derby and the wider region.

For businesses, it provides a clear and practical way to engage with the University - helping you shape future skills provision, connect with talent, and work collaboratively to address workforce challenges affecting productivity and long-term success.

Join the Derby Accord

Why the Derby Accord Matters to Industry

Businesses across the region face common workforce challenges — skills shortages, recruitment pressures, technological change, and the need to retain and progress talent locally.

The Derby Accord supports industry by:

Enabling employers to shape University of Derby provision to better reflect their needs
Supporting stronger links between business and graduates to build a recruitment pipeline
Improving access to work ready talent, including graduates, apprentices, and upskilling opportunities
Helping employers deliver social value through employment and skills development
Providing a collective platform to influence local skills and economic priorities
Providing the opportunity to engage with the University through out innovation and research expertise to explore collaborative projects, access specialist knowledge and support business growth and innovation

At the heart of the Derby Accord is the recognition that industry insight plays a critical role in shaping a curriculum that is relevant today and ready for tomorrow.

What Being a Derby Accord Partner Means for Employers

The Derby Accord is a principle‑based commitment, enabling employers to participate in ways that reflect their business priorities and capacity. Industry partners are encouraged to support skills and curriculum development at the University of Derby, offer opportunities such as internships, placements, graduate roles and insight activity, contribute their expertise through advisory groups or forums, share intelligence on future workforce needs and skills gaps, and collaborate with other employers on shared challenges. Participation is flexible, proportionate, and led by business need.

Through the Derby Accord, employers can engage with the University of Derby in a co-ordinated, strategic and impact-driven way.

Collaborating with students has been extremely impactful - helping them build employability skills while bringing fresh perspectives into our work. It's a truly reciprocal partnership with the University also providing research, insight and new thinking that continues to support our growth.

Claire MacDonald

Co-founder and Creative Director at MacMartin

Getting Involved

The Derby Accord welcomes employers of all sizes and sectors who want to work collaboratively with the University of Derby to support skills, talent, and economic growth.

Whether you are looking to shape future skills provision, enhance your recruitment pipeline, or contribute sector insight, there is a meaningful role for you to play.

Join the Derby Accord

Services that you could support:

Student placements or internships

Structured opportunities for students to gain practical experience within an organisation, typically over a defined period. These can be short-term internships or longer placements aligned to academic programmes.

Graduate employment opportunities

Roles designed for recent graduates, providing entry into professional practice. These positions may form part of structured graduate schemes or direct recruitment into permanent roles.

Apprenticeships

Programmes that combine paid employment with formal study, enabling individuals to develop skills and knowledge through both workplace experience and academic learning.

Live briefs or real‑world projects

Projects set by organisations that form part of students’ course activity. Students work on real challenges or tasks, applying their academic learning to practical scenarios.

Careers talks or employer insight sessions

Sessions delivered by employers to share information about their organisation, sector, and career pathways. These may include presentations, panels, or informal discussions with students.

Careers fairs and industry engagement events

Events that bring together employers and students to explore career opportunities, network, and learn more about different industries and organisations.

Curriculum or advisory input

Opportunities for employers to contribute to the design, review, or development of academic programmes, ensuring course content reflects current industry practices and needs.

Grand challenges, hackathons or other student competitions

Structured activities where students work individually or in teams to provide a consultancy service to find a solution to an industry-driven challenge or problem, often within a set timeframe and with defined outcomes.

Site visits and industry days

Organised visits that give students the opportunity to observe a working environment, understand operational processes, and learn more about specific industries or roles.

Join the Derby Accord