Recruitment Robin has developed a structured approach to workforce development focused on improving the alignment between education and industry skills needs across Staffordshire.

The Newcastle-under-Lyme based business, led by Managing Director Selina Rudzik, operates as both a recruitment agency and a practical training environment, where T-Level students are embedded into live business operations to develop core workplace competencies.

Students from a range of disciplines, including legal services, business management and marketing, are integrated into different areas of the business, allowing them to contribute to and gain experience across multiple aspects of operations.

Rather than limiting involvement to observation or administrative support, students gain structured exposure to the full recruitment lifecycle, including job advertising, candidate sourcing, client communication, interview coordination and professional relationship management. This model enables them to build confidence, commercial awareness and transferable workplace skills alongside their academic studies.

A key feature of Selina’s approach is its scalability across employers. Working in partnership with Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), she has introduced more than 20 local businesses to structured T-Level placement opportunities. This includes supporting employers to understand how placements can be used to develop future talent pipelines, particularly in sectors experiencing ongoing skills shortages such as engineering, digital and commercial services.

To strengthen delivery on both sides of the partnership, Selina has also worked directly with education staff to enhance employer engagement capability. She has designed and delivered CPD sessions for placement teams, including Networking for Professionals and Prospecting for Success, which are based on real-world recruitment practices. These sessions have helped staff develop greater confidence in engaging employers and securing higher-quality placement opportunities for students.

Within Recruitment Robin, Selina has established a consistent mentoring structure for six T-Level students, providing ongoing workplace supervision and development opportunities. This ensures that learning is continuous, practical and directly linked to live business activity, rather than limited to short-term placement exposure.

Lyndsey Cherry, Head of Employer Engagements and Partnerships at NSCG, said: “Selina is a true entrepreneurial force. She doesn’t just hire students; she develops the wider system that supports their progression. Her input has strengthened employer engagement practice and significantly improved access to meaningful placement opportunities.”

Recruitment Robin has entered the Skills for the Future category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.