Bridging talent and sustainability: aligning the student’s early recruitment scholarship program with global HRM trends

Abstract

In order to bridge the knowledge gap between academia and industry in Bangladesh, the Students Early Recruitment Program (SERP) prepares students for the workforce before graduation. Unlike conventional scholarship programs, SERP provides financial support along with early industry exposure, leadership development, sustainability-focused education, and mentorship opportunities. This study evaluates how SERP contributes to developing distinctive, valuable, and ethically responsible talent capable of providing organizations with a sustainable competitive advantage. The study is grounded in the Resource-Based View and Human Capital Theory. Using a mixed-method approach, surveys of 200 students and interviews with 50 businesses reveal that most firms strongly support early recruitment and mentorship, while students seeking early professional exposure demonstrate higher levels of adaptability and confidence. The findings highlight SERP’s potential as a long-term talent development pipeline aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 8 and global human resource management trends. However, challenges such as resource intensity, equitable access, and cultural resistance must be addressed to ensure wider implementation. Overall, SERP extends beyond a traditional scholarship program; it represents a strategic HRM intervention that benefits both students and employers by producing confident, workforce-ready graduates and providing organizations with motivated, future-oriented talent.