New Scheme to Match Lincoln Graduates with Small Businesses

06/02/2014

The university has secured European funding to support 50 paid graduate internships for small and medium-sized businesses based within the city boundaries. Interns can be graduates of any UK university or college in any subject but they must be residents of Lincoln who completed their degree no more than two years before the start of their internship.

"Internships are where higher education meets the world of work, and they benefit employers and students in different ways," said Mark Bowen, Enterprise Development Manager at Bishop Grosseteste University. "For employers who are looking for the cream of the crop among university-educated entry-level employees, an internship programme is the best way to build a pipeline of talented, young professionals.

"Meanwhile graduates gain an insider's view to a possible career path and incredible networking opportunities. Above all, internships could lead to a full-time position with that company. Internships really are a win-win and BGU are delighted that we have secured money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to create these 50 new graduate internships."

BG Futures, the university's enterprise centre, will provide support to both the graduates and the participating businesses, which will receive a £1,500 subsidy towards the cost of the intern's salary. "This is an exclusive opportunity to gain a high-calibre team member who can bring a fresh approach and innovative ideas and solutions," Mark added. "Many interns have successfully secured permanent jobs directly or indirectly as a result of their being part of such a programme and many small businesses have grown as a result."

Internships must last for a minimum of six weeks. Interns will be paid at least the National Minimum Wage appropriate to their age and the project will run until June 2015. One Lincoln organisation which has already entered the scheme is the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce.

Chris Brown, Business Development Manager at the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are in the very early stages of this scheme, but we see it as great benefit and opportunity to both the employer and student. This type of scheme allows graduates to gain real work life experience after completing their studies; it also allows the employer to bring in extra resource when and where required, and the support provided by Bishop Grosseteste University makes it a very simple process."

If you are a business looking for an intern or a recent Lincoln-based graduate, find out more by emailing mark.bowen@bishopg.ac.uk or by calling 01522 583727.

Bishop Grosseteste University's Graduate Internship Programme is jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The programme is open to all UK registered SMEs (under 250 employees) with premises within the city of Lincoln boundary. Businesses need to have dedicated premises in which to accommodate the intern for the duration of the internship.