After discovering Innovation and Productivity Pathfinder through Unitemps, Aima found the opportunity to be the perfect link to her PhD research.
About Aima
Aima Fatima completed her MSc in Accounting and Finance and is currently a second-year PhD student at Staffordshire University. Aima discovered the Innovation and Productivity Pathfinder programme when looking for work experience opportunities on Unitemps. She found Pathfinder linked in nicely with her PhD research and was an excellent opportunity for her to learn more about the market.
After applying and attending a training session, Aima supported Malone Group as a Student Innovation Consultant Intern for 12 weeks.
About Malone Group
Malone Group is an engineering and consulting company based in Burton upon Trent. Aima joined the business and her focus was to increase the business' profitability by implementing innovation and automation.
Support Received
Aima met with and interviewed Malone Group stakeholders to understand their business processes and identify areas for innovation. She developed a bespoke Business Model Canvas and an Innovation Plan for Malone Group, which was presented to the company for feedback on ideas.
Aima worked closely with her dedicated Innovation Advisor to help her overcome any challenges or answer questions she had. With any ideas she came up with, her advisor helped unearth ways in which her ideas could be put into practical use within the company.
Benefits Gained
Aima highly recommends the project, explaining that it is a great way for university students to learn more about the growing market in a practical way. The experience will look great on a CV, helping graduates get their foot in the door after graduation.
*The Innovation and Productivity Pathfinder project has been fully funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund. The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people in employment.
This is really good for students who are at university and they really want to see what's happening in the market. After graduation, they'll be starting their career and this is a very good opportunity for them.