City of Portsmouth College and Hallmark Jewellers forge special partnership

A Level Business students at City of Portsmouth College have gained precious industry experience after a gem of a challenge led to paid marketing work.

After being tasked in-class with conjuring a marketing promotion plan for a new jewellery collection by Titchfield-based Hallmark Jewellers, Olly Nash and Sam Woodage were selected by company founder Mark Hussey to execute their proposal in full.

Their plan is now being played out on Hallmark Jewellers’ social media pages, as part of a big reveal, using the inspiration for the collection – Dutch abstract artist Mondrian – as a base.

“I've been mentoring them, and they've been working with our workshop and marketing managers to roll the project out,” said Mark. “The quality of Olly and Sam’s work has been superb.

“I would definitely do this process again. The freshness of the ideas the students brought has really inspired me. Marketing has always been a bit of a necessary evil, but this has changed my mindset.”

Business lecturer Guy Herbertson added: “Sam did say to me on the day he and Olly were going to win it and here we are!

“You can see the confidence building in Sam and Olly. They’re learning what a professional environment is like, and they’re now able to add this experience to their CVs and UCAS applications which very few can, alongside their exam skills.”

At the launch event, Sam and Olly, both 17, were there to celebrate the culmination of the project.

“It feels great to see it all come to life,” said Sam. “You know, it was just an idea we came up with in class, and wasn’t thinking anything of it!”

“It’s been a great opportunity for us to do something in business that’s not academic, it’s real life,” added Olly. “It’s been really enjoyable.”

City of Portsmouth College is now engaging with more local businesses to set challenges for students – if you are interested in taking part, email marketing@copc.ac.uk