The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is offering a “win-win” for businesses and graduates based in the Humber area, which covers North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull City Councils.
The Graduate Advancement Programme is encouraging local businesses to create a 12- week internship opportunity for a graduate who is unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week. The internship must offer suitable work of graduate status. During the internship the graduate must be paid at least the national minimum wage. In return, for an internship lasting the full 12 weeks, the business will be paid £1,200. At the end of the 12 weeks, the employer is asked to provide a written reference for the graduate.
Mike Parker, Vice-Chair of Humber LEP, said: “The aim of the programme is to help stem graduates moving out of the local area by encouraging them to find suitable opportunities to support local economic growth. We believe that by creating graduate opportunities within small to medium sized companies, we will help support individuals to develop and explore their full potential. For businesses, it provides a low risk chance to experience the benefits of employing a graduate with up-to-date knowledge, fresh ideas and enthusiasm. It is an ideal opportunity to address an outstanding project or explore potential for growth or diversification”.
Local Authorities and Jobcentres will work with employers to develop the internship vacancy. Working with graduate applicants, The Jobcentre will help identify those with the right skills for interview with appropriate businesses. After interview for any reason the prospective employer or graduate feel that there isn’t a natural match just as in any job interview, there is no obligation to continue.
Mike Parker added “It’s an exciting time across the Humber with new jobs opportunities being presented as our economy adapts to new industries and we must ensure that we have a skilled and productive workforce to meet this challenge. The Graduate Advancement Programme is an essential part of our toolkit, and it gives new graduates a chance to gain work experience and ideally we hope that these internships will turn into permanent jobs.”
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