Interns offered career path as job offers fall

This year 320 students across Yorkshire's universities will be given short-term work placements with public money helping to pay a share of their wage to encourage firms to take part.

The region's internship scheme aims to offer practical job experience beyond what they could receive simply by shadowing someone for a short time.

It also allows an employer to get to know a candidate by seeing them in action in the workplace over a few months rather than relying on how they perform in a job interview.

Hull University's graduate employment manager Kristian Rumble says the approach is proving particularly useful for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who can use it to find out if a graduate is suited to their business.

The university is one of 10 in the region to receive funding for an internship scheme this year with 30 students from Hull benefiting.

It also took part in a similar project last year which offered 10 internship places. Of those, five graduates are still at their companies, three of whom have been given full-time jobs.

Mr Rumble said: "The scheme provides hands-on work experience and an opportunity for graduates to prove themselves to an employer. They are a good way to build confidence, make contacts and boost future employment prospects. This is chance for graduates to assess whether a particular role or industry is right for them and for the employer to get to know their graduate before deciding whether or not to offer them a full-time position."

Last year's programme was supported by both Yorkshire Forward and the Higher Education Funding Council for England which provided funding to pay two-thirds of each intern's salary.

This year Yorkshire's universities are running a scheme with funding from just HEFCE.

Mr Rumble said: "It has been valuable for us to be able to build up relationships with SMEs because not everyone is going to work for Shell or BP.

"Students might find that their skills can make more of an impact at a smaller organisation than if they go to work for a multi-national."

Among the Hull students to benefit is Tom Saunders who has been working in Hull Truck theatre's, education and outreach department. He was asked to create opportunities for people with learning disabilities and has established a training group.

He said: "I want to work in theatre and education, so getting an internship placement in the education department of a theatre that takes its outreach work very seriously has been and fantastic experience and invaluable start to my career."

Market research firm SMSR, based in Hull has also benefited from the scheme. taking on two interns from the university, Dominic Rumble and Tom Cawkwell.

The firm carries out research for public sector organisations. Dominic has helped prepare the company's bid to receive an accreditation for the way it is managed while Tom is helping to expand the work it does on new forms of media.

Director Ian Mills said: "The internship programme means we can get to know them and they can get to know us. An SME is a close family of people and this scheme allows us to see how a new person fits in with the rest of the team.

"Both of our interns have been given real responsibility here. In smaller companies there is no room for passengers – people have to deliver."

Mr Rumble added: "Employers are discovering that graduate internships are an effective way of attracting talent and adding to their business."

PROVIDING JOBS FOR GRADUATES

The boss of an organisation representing Yorkshire's higher education providers says internships have a key role to play in boosting job chances after graduate employment in the region fell by more than 20 per cent in both 2009 and 2008.

Yorkshire Universities has called for businesses and higher education institutions to ensure graduates' skills are utilised.

Chief executive Amelia Morgan said: "Internships give graduates a route into a career, increasing their skills and confidence, yet also enable businesses to experience the benefits of bringing fresh graduate talent into their workforce."