New internship scheme launched
Thames Valley University (TVU) has launched a Graduate Internship Scheme to tackle unprecedented levels of graduate unemployment.
Graduate unemployment has increased by 44% in the last 12 months according to data from the Higher Education Careers Services Unit. It is essential that this problem is tackled as soon as possible, for the benefit of businesses and the graduates.
Businesses are increasingly looking for employees who have had experience, and the internships are an ideal way for the graduates to gain this essential experience to help them get a foot in the door.
New graduates bring high levels of skill to the work place, matched with enormous energy, enthusiasm and passion. For businesses, the risk of taking on interns is very low, while the benefits of increased productivity and cost savings are enormous.
Each internship runs for eight weeks. This is broken up into six weeks with the employer working on a project and two weeks at university studying on three full-time intensive courses including; vodcasting, presentation and communication skills, and career planning and enhancement.
Ian Gibbs, Head of Knowledge Transfer at TVU FutureSkills said, ''TVU's graduate internship program offers graduates from any discipline, and any university, fantastic opportunities within leading firms. By coupling targeted training with tailored placements, each graduate receives real life, high level exposure to forward thinking businesses.''
TVU is one of over fifty universities that have become involved in the Government's £13.6 million scheme to provide internships in small businesses by the end of the year as part of the Backing Young Britain Campaign.
The Prime Minister welcomed the initiative, saying, 'We are committed to supporting young people as they develop in their careers, which is why we have invested over £13 million in new internships, and in the training and mentoring of people taking them up.
'By Backing Young Britain and working with small businesses through these difficult times, we can help ensure that we secure sustainable economic growth for the future.'
This is a fixed term project with a limited number of funded graduates.
If you are interested in this internship or would like more information please contact FutureSkills on 0300 123 2244, email fsintern@tvu.ac.uk or go online at www.tvu.ac.uk/FSintern
February 14th, 2010