Graduate Intern Scheme

By Pravindharan Balakrishnan

The new graduate intern scheme recently developed by the Government is designed to help small businesses and improve career prospects for fresh graduates. The £13.6 million scheme known as the Graduate Internship Programme offers local businesses a win-win situation whereby the businesses are able to access talented graduates who will make a valuable contribution to the business. This scheme had indeed benefited University of Portsmouth graduates, as up to 90 paid graduate internships are to be placed in local companies. The duration of the internships will last for a minimum of 12 weeks and employers receive £1,200 towards the graduate’s salary for the duration of the internship. The Graduate Internship Programme is part of a national scheme which will see approximately 7,000 graduates working as interns in small and local businesses by the end of the year. This programme will be offered from February 2010 to September 2010 whereby employers are encouraged to take on the graduate for a longer period of time, instead of the minimum 12 weeks. Employers are also advised to ensure that the graduate is developing their employability and gaining quality work experience in relation to their future career plans. In addition, during and after the internship, the University will support the graduate by visiting the placement and working hand in hand with the graduate to ultimately reflect on what they achieve. Likewise, the graduate will be offered career advice, CV help and access to a range of workshops relating to interview techniques, job hunting and staying motivated. Interns under this scheme will be placed within local businesses in the Government’s priority areas, which are related to ‘Building Britain’s Future – New Industry, New Jobs’. These new jobs include producing low-carbon products and services, digital industry, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and pharmaceuticals and many more. Interested graduates should register themselves with Purple Door Careers and Recruitment by emailing a copy of their CV to purpledoor.recruitment@port.ac.uk.