Leeds Trinity and industry partners drive employability skills and real-world impact as Professional Challenge returns

The Professional Challenge sees students work collaboratively over two weeks and build skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving – essential attributes required in the workplace. 

It also provides an opportunity for students to apply their entrepreneurial acumen to identify business opportunities, discover and navigate barriers that policy makers and practitioners face, and learn about ways in which they can make a meaningful impact in the community. The challenges are linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to encourage students to consider the environment, economy, and social equity as part of their work. 

Emily Timson, Director of Graduate Outcomes and Enterprise at Leeds Trinity University, said: The Professional Challenge is a flagship element of Leeds Trinity University’s approach to career-led education, embedding real-world, practice-based learning at the heart of the student experience. It ensures that career-relevant experiences are integral to students’ learning journeys, enhancing their skillsets and graduate employability.  

“Since its launch in 2022, more than 2,500 students have taken part, and we continue to see strong evidence of its impact on their confidence, creativity, and readiness for the workplace. By engaging directly with real organisations and live challenges, first-year students gain valuable insight into professional environments while developing the skills and mindset needed to succeed in their future careers.” 

As one of the UK's top universities for employability and a member of the Leeds Anchor Network, which aims to support local employment as a core priority, Leeds Trinity places high importance on collaborating with employers. For the Professional Challenge, the University partners with businesses and organisations from across the Leeds City Region to set the challenges, ensuring they reflect genuine, present-day issues experienced by workforces. 

In 2026, the external challenge setters are the Department for Work and Pensions, the Diocese of Leeds, Wetherby Young Offender Institution, West Yorkshire Citizens – a community organising alliance – and GIPSIL, a charity supporting those in deprived areas across West Yorkshire. By supporting the Professional Challenge, each organisation gains valuable, multi-disciplinary input into real-world issues and access to emerging talent who can offer fresh ideas and additional resource, while contributing to the learning and development of students. 

A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions said: “By taking part in the Professional Challenge, we want to raise awareness of operational research and systems thinking and support students to succeed. This includes building bridges for the students between the education sector and industry to ensure this is a smooth transition. We also hope to help students build examples of work they can use in applications to the Civil Service – and develop an appreciation that the work we do is challenging and even fun.”