Graduate Support

HEFCE Internships

Overview

HEFCE announced funding for an additional 8,500 graduate internships on 27th November. In the NW 935 additional graduate internships have been funded, 540 are to be in place by March 2010 and the remainder by September 2010 (allowing HEI to offer places to 2010 graduates). These additional internships will contribute to the overall national BIS target of 20,000 internships. The objectives of this new scheme are to provide opportunities for the additional numbers of unemployed graduates in 2009 and 2010 and to establish a supply of graduates for the growth sectors outlined in “New Industry, New Jobs” (NINJ) and for small business. HEFCE officially announced the scheme on 11th February 2010: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/hefce/2010/interns.htm

Employers in the NINJ sectors (below) and small businesses in any sector should get in touch if they are interested in recruiting a graduate intern. The sectors identified are:

• Low-carbon products and services
• Digital industry
• Life sciences and pharmaceuticals
• Advanced manufacturing
• Engineering construction
• Professional and financial services
• Industrial opportunities presented by the ageing society

Businesses can take advantage of a national single point of contact, provided by BIS, for advice and assistance in recruiting a graduate intern. For more information on the Graduate Internship scheme businesses can contact the national helpline on 0845 072 7597 or email internship-enquiries@graduatetalentpool.co.uk

Businesses can also contact their local university directly on the contact details below.

For more information on graduate internships in general businesses can visit the Graduate Talent Pool website at http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk/

Providers

The scheme is delivered by the following universities in the North West:

• University of Salford
• University of Chester
• University of Cumbria
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• Lancaster University
• University of Central Lancashire

There is some variety in the schemes offered in each university but all services match graduates with internship opportunities in businesses and the cost to the employer is free or subsidised. Details of individual HEI offers, and contact details, can be download here (PDF).

Benefits to Employers

• Through internships, businesses can access the talent, skills, knowledge and enthusiasm offered by graduates.
• Employers can save on the costs of advertising associated with direct recruitment, and can benefit from assistance in recruiting, provided by the university.
• Businesses can free up vital time and resources by employing an intern, allowing other staff to concentrate on more urgent or more specialist matters.
• An intern might help out with a range of business aspects, or may be asked by the business to focus on a particular project.
• Businesses will benefit from the increased interaction with the university, and, with an increased awareness of the opportunities offered, may choose to undertake training programmes or consultancy services offered to businesses.
• Businesses receive financial support to enable them to take on an intern (around £1,300 in wage subsidies on average).

Benefits to Graduates

• Internships offer many benefits to both business and graduate. Undertaking an internship allows graduates to try their hand at a possible career and gain real work experience, and it is a way of building on the skills gained at university. It can often be a stepping stone to securing permanent employment. The employer will act as a mentor to the intern, providing feedback on their work and constructive criticism and tips as to how to complete work successfully.
• Graduates will receive structured support before, during and after the placement. This support will include CV advice, interview practice, mentoring and help to secure the internship of their choice.
• Internships also give graduates the opportunity to see whether a particular role is right for them, and it is an excellent opportunity for graduates to make contacts in the sector in which they want to work.
• Graduates receive a small salary whilst they are undertaking their internship. The placements are a great opportunity to gain experience of and make a worthwhile contribution to one of the key sectors as identified by the government – sectors such as low carbon products, digital industries and life sciences, which are predicted to grow over the coming years. For more information, please visit the Graduate Talent Pool website http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk.

Other Internship Opportunities

In addition to those detailed above, a wider range of internship opportunities are available across universities in the North West. For more information and contact details, please download the table below:
Internships Table (xls)

The Graduate Talent Pool has been developed by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) to help match the skills required by business with those offered by new and recent graduates. Graduates can apply for internships provided they graduated in 2008 or 2009 with at least a degree or foundation degree. For further details, please visit http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk, or visit the Business Link North West directory, http://www.businesslinknw.co.uk/directory/Pages/DirectoryHome.aspx.