Graduate job scheme looking to benefit even more in its second year

At the start of the year Shropshire Council launched the ‘Growing Talent’ programme to increase opportunities for graduates to find work in Shropshire after finding many leave the county to look for work.

As the scheme approaches the end of its first year running, it is looking for even more graduates and businesses to benefit until it finishes in June 2015.

Aimed at Shropshire’s small-to-medium sized ‘knowledge intensive’ businesses (SMEs), ‘Growing Talent’ is a funding programme using money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to help businesses recruit graduates to develop and grow the business.

Research found that businesses were put off by paying full salary to someone who might need a few months training before they were up to speed; they wanted someone who was confident and could hit the ground running. The research found that these worries made employing graduates something many businesses felt was a bit of a risk they didn’t feel confident to take, despite a desire to recruit graduates.

Growing Talent tackles this by using the European funding to pay 45% of the graduate’s salary for the first six months and eliminate any recruitment costs to the business. The result is that when the business needs to pay the salary in full themselves, they have an employee who has been trained and made familiar with the business; someone who can hit the ground running and help the business.

The scheme also addresses concerns on the graduate’s side, where 69% felt there was shortage of suitable employment outside urban areas. By increasing these opportunities, the scheme aims to prevent young graduates leaving the area as seven out 10 were found to be willing to move anywhere for the right job.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for business growth, said:

“We’ve seen several success stories through this scheme and it’s been encouraging to hear them. Supporting young graduates get on the career ladder here in Shropshire is an important aspect to consider when planning for Shropshire’s future and we’re looking for even more successes next year.”

Businesses and graduates that are interested in the Growing Talent programme can find out more information by contacting Amanda Gosling, graduate support officer at Shropshire Council, on 01743 252741 or emailing amanda.gosling@shropshire.gov.uk.