Aston to offer Novus degree

Aston University is to offer Novus degrees in Business and Supply Chain Management from September – the first expansion of the scheme since it was launched with the University of Huddersfield four years ago.

Novus graduates are guaranteed a job with one the companies that sponsor the scheme. There are currently 120 students on the scheme and with a second university offering courses that number is set to grow significantly.

Andy Kaye, chairman of the Novus Trust and CEO of Bis Henderson Group, said: “We saw our first cohort of graduates in July 2016 and are committed to providing superlative graduates as the long term, strategic answer to the serious skills gaps and shortfall of graduate talent evident in the logistics profession.

Ed Sweeney, professor of logistics at Aston University, said: “We have been running NOVUS Lite with NOVUS since 2015 and are proud to announce the introduction of its full degree course in business and supply chain management. We expect the course to be very attractive to applicants because it guarantees graduate employment in a supply chain management role with one of NOVUS’ 25 sponsor companies, as well as providing students with guest lectures, mentoring and summer and third year placements.”

The Novus sponsor companies are: Arla, Asos, Bis Henderson, CEVA, Clipper, Culina, Cummins, DHL, Howdens, Hoyer, Kuehne + Nagel, Lloyd Fraser, Morrisons, Muller, Nestle, PZ Cussons, Sainsbury’s, SIG, Smiths News, Travis Perkins, Uniserve, Wincanton, World Fuel Services, XPO and Yusen.