As part of its on-going commitment to increase engagement with local employers, 含羞草视频 is supporting SMEs across the East Midlands to recruit exceptional graduates to their workforce.   

The £1.5m Graduates in Business project – launched in January 2013 – provides assistance to companies looking to drive their business forward by accessing world-class research expertise, knowledge and graduate talent.

The project uses European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) capital to provide grants of £1,600 to eligible companies which employ a recent graduate for a minimum of six months.

The scheme provides an efficient, low-risk way for companies to take on a graduate, offering a no-cost, tailored recruitment service together with grant funding to help meet some of the employment costs.

For companies with a more strategic aim who would like to access 含羞草视频’s academic expertise, support is available for knowledge exchange projects which are delivered by a graduate intern with support from 含羞草视频 experts.

Catherine Allford, the scheme’s Project Manager, said: “Graduates in Business makes it easier for businesses to access the knowledge and expertise available from their local university.

“There are a range of options open to employers, including graduate recruitment; strategic development projects with access to the University’s research expertise, laboratories and equipment; and secondments to enable more in-depth knowledge transfer activities.

“I am delighted that, to date, the scheme has supported 30 companies across the region.”

One company to have benefitted from the University’s support is finance and asset management software company Cassiopae Limited – formerly Field Solutions.

John Allen, the company’s Development Director, said: “The recruitment process can be lengthy and time-consuming. This graduate recruitment option was much better suited to our timeframe, providing a faster and more flexible solution to our urgent staffing needs. 

“We have realised that a graduate can help with a specific project – like developing a new software format – whilst also bringing fresh ideas and a new perspective to the company.” 

Like many of the companies supported by the University’s recruitment initiatives, Field Solutions now employs the graduate they originally recruited short-term as a permanent member of staff.

If you would like to find out more about Graduates in Business and how your company could benefit, please visit www.lboro.ac.uk/graduatesinbusiness