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Next-Gen

Talent

Pipeline

The Problem:

The UK Grad Recruitment Struggle is Real

85%

Of employers think graduates lack workplace experience

29%

Of hired graduates leave within 3 Years

7 months

Average time for a graduate hire to start delivering ROI

And yet...

600,000+ UK Students Graduate a year

14 hours

Avg. hours / week each student is available to work

69%

Of students want to work part-time around their degree

The Solution:

Hire Students while they Study

Imagion: Hiring 5 Students part-time in their second year, withing with them for 1.5 years. Taking time to build relationships and understand their character, whilst getting valuable training and work done through general exposure and tasks. Hire the best 1 or 2 after they graduate, and get value for Day 1.

  • Early Access to Talent
  • Low-Risk Hiring
  • Talent Pipeline
  • Improved ROI

”I founded Next Wave out of frustration with the disconnect between universities, their courses, and the real needs of companies. As a university student myself, I saw how outdated, numbers-driven recruitment agencies failed to truly empower students or value their potential. I wanted to change that.

”Next Wave is about more than placements—it’s about helping students land jobs that genuinely fit their ambitions and connecting businesses with hires who bring real value, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. This is personal to me, and it’s why I’m so passionate about creating a better future for both students and the companies that believe in them.

William TateFounder of Next Wave

Pricing:

Transparent Pricing with No Surprises

Next Wave handles the hiring: you pay us, and we pay the student.

For Companies:

Student pay: £14/hour. Pay only for hours worked.

Next Wave charges additional £100/month starting after the first successful month.

e.g. 50 hours/month at £14/hour = £700 (student pay) + £100 (Next Wave fee) = £800 total.

 

If you hire the student full-time after graduation: 16.5% placement fee (of annual salary)

For Students:

All Jobs £14/hour.

No commissions, no deductions.

Providing Companies with Pre-Vetted, Cost-Effective Talent They Can Transition into Full-Time Roles

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For Companies:

Risk:

  • 85% of employers think graduates lack workplace experience.
  • 29% of graduates leave within three years.
  • 74% of organisations cannot demonstrate the ROI of their early careers initiatives.
  • Graduate hires cost 1.5–2.5x their salary in year one.

Access:

  • 39% of employers are hiring fewer graduates due to limited budgets.
  • 54% struggle to fill roles.
  • 90% can’t find quality candidates.

For Students:

  • 36% of graduates are overqualified for their Job
  • 140+ average applications per Grad vacancy. 205 for Digital & It, 188 for Financial & Professional services (+59% YoY)
  • 2.7 years’ experience for a stand-out CV on Entry-level roles
  • -19% spent on in job training since 2011.
  • 3% of employers prioritise Academic Qualification. 72% employers prioritise willingness to learn.
  • 42% of grads outside London are in non-graduate roles.

For Companies:

  • Lower Cost: Cut graduate hiring costs by reducing turnover and avoiding expensive recruitment campaigns.
  • Talent Pipeline: Build a proven pipeline of talent, ready to transition into full-time roles.
  • Improved ROI: Invest in students’ skills early, with confidence in their long-term potential.

For Students:

  • Fair Pay: Earn a competitive wage while gaining practical experience.
  • Career Building: Work in meaningful roles that prepare you for post-graduation success.
  • Increased Access: Open doors to opportunities regardless of geography or connections.

How it works

Empowering businesses with AI-driven efficiency and human expertise for seamless student recruitment

For Companies

  • Submit your requirements
  • We source from our massive pool of talent, vet, and match the best candidates
  • You pay at the end of the month for hours worked, via an invoice

 

For Students

  • Sign up and create your profile
  • Apply for roles that match your skills
  • Start gaining experience and earning money

steps

1

Create Your Profile (No CV Needed!): Complete our quick application form – it only takes a few minutes

2

Find & Apply to Jobs: If selected, browse roles tailored to you on our website, or through our social media.

3

Interview & kickstart your career. Connect with founders and hiring managers to secure your first role

Build your CV, earn Money, and work Flexibly around Uni

Like Nothing You've Seen

Apply to join the Student Database

Current Job Opportunities

Trainee Court Reporter
This role starts part-time, focusing on training in court reporting software, with a transition to full-time handling accurate transcriptions for complex legal cases.
Apply Here

Why Next Wave stands out

Feature

Traditional Job Boards

Recruitment Agencies

University Career Services

Next Wave

Access to Graduate Talent

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Cost-Effective Solution

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Risk-Free Recruitment

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Seamless Transition to Full-Time

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Access to Part-Time Roles

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Quality Work

“I have used ThemeNectar 3 times and they have been fantastic every time. They communicated clearly upfront and delivered exactly what was promised right on time.”

Corey Barnes, SEO Mania