Funded internships aim to help keep North East graduates in the region

A number of funded internships are being made available by Newcastle College to help local businesses boost their workforce coming out of the coronavirus pandemic.

North East firms operating in the digital technologies and engineering industries are being invited to register their interest in taking on a work-ready graduate.

There are nine funded internships available, which will run for 12 months and are due to begin this summer.

Employers will receive a £10,000 contribution towards their intern’s salary from Newcastle College University Centre.

The minimum salary requirement is £20,000.

Graduates will have the opportunity to pitch themselves to employers during a virtual interview process.

The initiative, known as Stay and Succeed, is launching for the third year.

Jon Ridley, vice principal of Newcastle College and executive director of Higher Education at Newcastle College Group (NCG), said: “Stay and Succeed is an excellent opportunity for local employers to engage with our graduate talent pool and play an important role in their post-university journey, by welcoming them into an industry they are truly passionate about.

“Employers will be taking on skilled graduates who have the knowledge and hands-on experience to make a positive impact, benefitting both their business and the local economy by helping to retain graduate talent here in the region.

“We understand the last 12-months have brought challenges to all businesses and impacted employment opportunities in some sectors, so initiatives like this are truly needed to support graduates into jobs related to their degrees and skillsets.

“We’re already seeing strong engagement from local businesses and encourage more to come forward from the digital technologies and engineering industries who are in a position to take on interns.”