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A Sheffield-based digital solutions and software firm, 3Squared, has welcomed its 60th placement student into a full-time role.

Press contact: Greg Mattocks-Evans | g.mattocks-evans@shu.ac.uk

The news marks an 18-year partnership with the company which has provided placements to more than 60 Sheffield Hallam students studying on the University’s business, computing and digital programmes.

3Squared was established in 2002 by Sheffield Hallam alumni James Fox and Tim Jones, following their graduation.

During 2020, 5 new placement students started following 3Squared’s involvement in the university’s Preferred Placement Scheme.

Mike Heselton, Senior Lecturer in Information Systems at Sheffield Hallam, said: “We are incredibly proud of our relationship with 3Squared and the real depth of the partnership that has offered advantages to so many students, year on year for nearly two decades. The quality of 3Squared’s placements ensures our students are not just shadowing others in the workplace but are spending 12 months in a real, paid job and gaining valuable insight into the working world.

“The 3Squared team shows a real understanding of what creates a worthwhile placement, through the support they give, not only during the placement year, but also beyond. The success of our partnership is clearly evident in the number of permanent roles that have resulted from placements and we look forward to many more students working with 3Squared in the years to come.”

James Fox, co-founder and Commercial Director of 3Squared, said: “I’m really proud of our partnership with Sheffield Hallam. We have been working with the university since our business began back in 2002, following our own graduation from the university. We understand from our own experience how valuable work placements can be, particularly in such an innovative sector, and we’re delighted to be able to offer something back to the university and the local Sheffield community.

“Over 60% of our current staff are graduates of Sheffield Hallam, and the majority of our placement students have gone on to become 3Squared employees. This is a fantastic track record for us and the university, and really demonstrates both the power of the partnership and the calibre of the students in the area.”

Simon Rose, who now runs his own digital marketing company, said: “I undertook my placement year with 3Squared from September 2013 until September 2014 and also returned to work there while studying for my Masters and during holiday breaks. I worked with the .NET team and the skills and experience I gained there have definitely helped me with what I have gone on to do since.

“In the three years I worked with 3Squared, my programming skills hugely improved and also my presentation skills and confidence developed through dealing directly with clients. I also learnt a lot about business processes from watching how clients were moved through the system. It was a great place to work with a really supportive team and I’d highly recommend doing a placement there.”

3Squared is based at Fountain Precinct in Sheffield and offers pioneering digital software with high profile contracts and clients including HS2 and Network Rail.