Published on Wednesday 03 December 2025
Picture: students from Bournemouth University at BCP Council's chambers. Credit: Bournemouth University
Students from Bournemouth University have spent an afternoon learning from senior leaders at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council as part of the university’s Employability Skills Programme.
The programme provides an opportunity for students to develop essential skills that help prepare them for the world of work after they graduate through employer-led masterclasses, online learning, work experience opportunities, extracurricular activity and industry visits.
Around 4,900 employees work at the Council helping to provide essential services on a daily basis - from seafront rangers and street cleansers to family support workers and facilities - making the Council one of the largest employers in the local region.
On Monday, 1 December, members of the Council’s senior leadership team were on hand to talk to, and take questions from, students during a two hour session at the Bournemouth Civic Centre.
Students heard from -
- Cllr Millie Earl – Leader of BCP Council
- Aidan Dunn - Chief Executive Officer
- Glynn Barton – Chief Operations Officer
- Sarah Chamberlain - Director of IT & Programmes
- Lisa Linscott – Director of Education and Skills
- Rhys Bright - Head of Engineering Services
- Patricia Mazarura - Team Manager Safeguarding Adults First Response Hub
- Isabel Hall – Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor
- Oliver McManus - Senior Communications Officer (and Bournemouth University graduate)
Speaking after the event, Leader of BCP Council Cllr Millie Earl said: “Today has been all about giving students a real sense of what it’s like to work within local government and the range of opportunities available across our organisation.
“The work of our officers touches almost every aspect of daily life for residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and it’s really important we continue to attract the next generation of talent: working with Bournemouth University in this way is the perfect example of that in action.”
On the day Cllr Earl spoke to students about her role into the Council, and the role councillors play in their communities; Sarah Chamberlain discussed the internal transformation of IT systems since BCP Council came into existence in 2019; whilst Amy Walton and Claire Main, economic development officers at BCP Council, highlighted their role in supporting the growth of employment opportunities in the local area - from helping businesses start, grow, and thrive to delivering events alongside partners such as Bournemouth University.
Jenna Darlow, Employability Skills Manager at Bournemouth University, said: “We are proud to work with industry partners like BCP Council to be able to offer our students a unique insight into different job opportunities in their local region. It has been great to see the engagement from our students today and we look forward to working very closely together in future”
The Bournemouth University Employability Skills Programme is a free employability programme open to all current students. Managed by the Careers team and delivered with industry partners, it supports students to develop key transferrable skills essential for today’s world of work.
Students at Bournemouth University can access the resources and masterclasses at any time during their degree; those who complete the whole programme will gain the Employability Skills Award certificate that can be added to their CV.