The Employment and Recruitment Service, which was launched in September 2014, provides access to thousands of high quality student and graduate workers.

So far around 4,000 people have signed up to the service to find work in Lancashire and beyond.

As a result of the service three students, Kristina Lamb-George, Ellie Vowles and Andy Payne, have been nominated for a National Student Employee of the Year award.

In addition to this, Ben Goldsworthy, a first year BSc Computer Science student, nominated his employer, RCU Ltd of Preston, for a Student Employer of the Year award, recognising the support he has been given by the company to gain relevant work experience alongside his degree.

Richard Boniface, of RCU Ltd, said: “As a small company in Preston providing market intelligence services across the UK, it is important for us to find good quality part time staff who will fit quickly into the style and ethos of our company.

"Working in partnership with Lancaster University has been very beneficial for us because they took the time to understand our business first before recommending suitable employees, which took a lot of the hassle out of the process.

“We are delighted to receive the award and would like to thank Ben and the Employment & Recruitment Service at Lancaster University for the support they have given RCU Ltd.”

Tara McLaughlin, Deputy Head of Careers at Lancaster University and Head of the Employment and Recruitment Service, said: “Our recruitment  service is great for local businesses and students alike – businesses benefit from the ideas and hard-work of some of the best students and graduates in the country, who in turn are able to gain valuable work experience.

“We can recruit students and graduates into any role from retail, catering and admin to marketing, IT, project management and research.”

Businesses can access the Employment and Recruitment Service by visiting http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/employment-and-recruitment-services/ or by calling Jennifer Shuttleworth, Employment & Recruitment Service Manager, on 01524 510853 or emailing recruit@lancaster.ac.uk