Job seekers firm is a hit

The United Kingdom's first student-run scheme to help graduates find work is set for a successful first year, writes Alan Thomson.

Westminster Business Consultants Ltd, launched last August at Westminster University, is on course for a Pounds 17,500 turnover in its first year.

Two of the company's project workers have already secured full-time jobs in the management and market research fields.

The company is part of a 200-strong European network. The Westminster firm specialises in market research including the design and analysis of questionnaires and competition analysis. It also helps clients exploit the potential of new technology, including the World Wide Web.

Steve Skowyrski, WBC managing director, said: "WBC allows students the chance to gain practical experience in a real business consultancy. These skills are a valuable addition to the academic knowledge they gain from their degree courses."

The European-wide movement was developed in Paris in 1967 and while WBC is the first of its kind in the UK a number of other universities are said to be interested in helping to develop a British network.