Graduate market to experience growth with launch of new funding

There is still time for our graduates to benefit from the European Regional Development funding delivered by Northumbria Graduate Futures. The Northumbria Enterprise and Business Support (NEBS) 2 scheme includes a financial contribution to help small businesses in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland recruit a highly motivated and talented fellow graduate to help grow the business. SMEs looking to respond to the challenges of COVID-19 are encouraged to apply. 

Interns will be paid by the SME for up to 6 months in a graduate position to meet the business needs of the organisation with the project providing a maximum financial contribution to salary of £4,050 for a 6-month internship (45%). Pro-rata funding is available for shorter internship durations. SMEs could also have the opportunity to further pitch their funded internship opportunities via the ‘Working in the North East’ showcase as part of the ‘Your Graduate Futures’ activity in June. To find out more about this package of funding and support, please contact internships@northumbria.ac.uk.

NEBS2 is also an excellent opportunity for the graduate job-seeker to secure paid employment and take their first steps on a graduate career. The scheme presents the opportunity for an SME to identify a longer-term or permanent member of staff, so graduates seeking the potential of permanent employment are encouraged to apply. Scheme details can be found here. The ‘Working in the North East’ showcase in June will give a graduate audience the chance to learn more about working in the North East and the benefits of working for an SME. With businesses actively recruiting in attendance, this is an ideal opportunity to hear directly from SMEs offering internships in a range of industries. Don’t miss the chance to hear directly about life within the organisation and advice on how to apply.

Additional shorter term-funding opportunities are also available. The Northumbria University Santander Employability Scheme offers a fully funded internship of 70 - 105 hours to SMEs seeking to recruit both recent graduates and students of any stage of study. For more information about Santander funding, please email sv.employers@northumbria.ac.uk.

Funding is still available via the Employ Autism Higher Education Network, a ground-breaking partnership delivered by Northumbria Graduates Futures, Ambitious about Autism and Santander UK Universities. Employers who can offer meaningful work experience placements for Northumbria University autistic students and graduates, benefit from free training and support. This could be one or more placements of approximately 8 weeks long (including remote placements).  Further information on the programme can be found via the Autism Exchange short film. Please contact julia.bennett@northumbria.ac.uk in the first instance for an initial discussion.