Funding boost for graduate internship programme
REGIONAL development agency Yorkshire Forward has agreed to fund the Graduates Yorkshire Internship Programme for the next three years.
The additional funding comes soon after the initiative achieved its target of filling 60 paid for placements in the region.
It will mean a further 650 graduates will get the opportunity to benefit from the internships being offered by the region’s businesses.
So far the internships have covered a wide range of sectors, including IT, construction and marketing.
The programme aims to make Yorkshire graduates more employable by offering paid work experience, coaching and mentoring. Companies also benefit from gaining access to the graduate’s skills for between three and 12 months.
Graduate’s who are unsuccessful also gain key skills, support and feedback through the programme’s assessment days.
Martin Edmondson, Graduates Yorkshire chief executive, said: “Graduates don’t stop learning the moment they leave university. Internships give vital experience in the workplace that you just can’t get when you are studying.
“The jobs market is tough for graduates at the moment and, because we only offer paid for internships, it means graduates can take advantage of the scheme without having to worry about how they can support themselves financially during their placement.”
Internship programme project manager Becky Ascough said: “Companies also benefit from the programme by bringing skilled individuals into the organisation on short term contract. Several of the businesses have been so impressed with the impact of their intern, they have been looking to see whether they can make their employment more permanent.”
Graduates Yorkshire was established seven years ago with the support of Yorkshire universities to close the ‘knowledge gap’ between the region’s universities and its business community by matching graduates with companies looking to make best use of talent.
Despite Yorkshire having 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 in the region is among the lowest in the UK.
