Internship programme to benefit graduates and employers

GRADUATES Yorkshire has secured funding for a paid graduate internship programme designed to give graduates a route into employment.

The Internship Programme is being funded by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and will offer paid graduate internships with employers in the region.

It aims to make Yorkshire graduates more employable by offering paid work experience, coaching and mentoring.

Martin Edmondson, Graduates Yorkshire chief executive, said the programme will raise standards in graduate recruitment.

“Many companies take advantage of students by offering unpaid work experience or intern positions. Not everyone has the ability to work for up to a year without being paid,” he added.

“By offering paid internships, companies gain from getting the most talented graduates and not just the ones with wealthy parents, who can afford to work for free.”

Mr Edmondson said that research showed that graduates bring fresh thinking, enthusiasm and specialist knowledge to the workplace in turn increasing productivity

Applicants for the Graduates Yorkshire Internship Programme will take part in bootcamp style training days and assessments.

Even unsuccessful applicants will receive advice and support so they are more employable after finishing the process.

Graduates Yorkshire was established six years ago to close the ‘knowledge gap’ between the region’s universities and business community by matching graduates with companies looking to make best use of that talent.

Despite Yorkshire has one of the largest higher education economies of any region generating £3bn of output, the percentage of graduates employed in key public and private organisations is among the lowest in the UK.

Companies wanting to get involved the project can contact project manager Becky Ascough on 0114 222 0954.