Jewellery & Watch Birmingham launches bursary scheme

Jewellery & Watch Birmingham is set to support future industry talent this year with the launch of an all-new bursary programme. 

Launching in conjunction with the February show, and in association with Birmingham City University, the £5,000 bursary will offer a recent graduate of the Birmingham School of Jewellery a chance to develop their skills and career prospects through a series of networking opportunities.

The programme, will run from February 2015 to January 2016, and was the product of the Jewellery & Watch advisory panel, whose members will act as mentors to the chosen graduate during the course of the programme.

The mentors, who will offer valuable work experience for the graduate, include Patrick Fuller, founder of Domino, Lindsey Straughton, marketing manager at the British Jewellers’ association and Sharon Good, managing director at Good Results PR.

As part of the initiative, the graduate will be expected to organise up to four events in the year that will bring together a wider group of graduates and experienced experts to offer tutoring, mentorship, discussions and debates.

The graduate will also be asked to share their experiences via a dedicated blog on the Jewellery & Watch website.

Julie Driscoll, portfolio director for Jewellery & Watch Birmingham at i2i Events Group, said: “Together with the Birmingham School of Jewellery, we are extremely excited to launch this project and show our support for the future generation of talent.

“We are very grateful to the members of our Jewellery & Watch advisory panel for being such wonderful supporters of both the show and the wider industry, and look forward to following their journey with the chosen graduate.”

Patrick Fuller, founder of Domino, commented that the Bursary Programme is “a great opportunity for someone. I hope many take advantage of applying for a chance to get to grips with their career.”