• Aston University is one of a number of institutions to receive funding for 340 new PhD places across the Midlands to train the next generation of social scientists. The Midlands Graduate School (MGS), a consortium of Midlands universities including Aston University, has received significant funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) that will advance research training provision for the next generation of social scientists and ensure that the Midlands remains at the forefront of methodological advancements in social science. The MGS partnership will recruit up to 68 PhD students per year for the next five years, including a possibility of 10 scholarships for PhD candidates at Aston University.

• Engtal, a US-based staffing solutions provider for the STEM industries, has raised thousands of dollars to support underrepresented talent in Chicagoland (Chicago metropolitan area) to access college scholarship funding, through its work in the STEM industries. The primary sponsor of Diversify the Future Foundation, a non-profit initiative, which aims to remove the barriers faced by underrepresented students, Engtal will help support young people by helping them excel in a future career in the STEM space, enabling and empowering the next generation of industry talent.

• Technology recruitment agency Venturi has completed the move of its global headquarters to the Globe & Simpson Building, Enterprise City, within the St John’s creative district in Manchester. The international recruitment firm, with locations in New York and Dusseldorf, has made Manchester city centre its home. It specialises in placing technology talent into key areas of the IT and tech sectors, including business intelligence, data analysis, and security and software development.

• Recruitment services supplier Wave has launched a new version of its candidate sourcing and analytics tool WaveTrackR. The changes and updates focus on ensuring candidates are not missed in the search for talent.