Northamptonshire businesses can snap up the chance of having a skilled graduate join their workforce as part of the University of Northampton’s graduate internship programme.
Time2Grow provides small and medium sized businesses with a graduate intern for 280 hours worked over a 10 week period. This can be at a minimum of 28 hours per week.
The University will employ the graduates, covering payroll costs, National Insurance and recruitment costs. Businesses only pay 40 per cent of the total employment cost which currently equates to a cost of £5.29 per hour plus VAT or £1482 plus VAT for the entire 10-week internship.
There is no obligation for businesses to continue employment after the 280 hours, but they can if they wish to.
Simon Toseland, President of the Wellingborough and East Northants Chamber of Commerce said: “This low risk, high gain scheme is a fantastic opportunity for SMEs to benefit from the skills of local graduates.”
Janice Watkins, Time2Grow Changemaker Enterprise Lead, said: “When a graduate is appointed they becomes one of our temporary workers, which means the business does not employ them. They submit weekly timesheets which the business signs off and we pay them.
“So in theory, you could appoint a graduate on this scheme and then if the business wants to keep them on after their internship has finished, they can – so it is like a ‘try before you buy’ exercise.”
Once registered to the scheme, each internship role will advertised and promoted on at least three portals and suitable applicants will be selected for interview. Businesses can also nominate a graduate who has graduated within the last five years. Interviews are arranged between the business and applicants direct.
Janice added: “When a graduate is appointed they become one of our temporary workers, which means the business does not employ them. They submit weekly timesheets which the business signs off and we pay them.
“There is a one week notice period if either party wishes to terminate the internship – but I can honestly say, this has not happened yet with any of the 28 internships I have set up already.”
By registering as a company, the university will find a skilled graduate to work for you. There are currently graduates available in the following fields of work:
- Accounting and Finance – approx. 45 graduates
- HR & People Management – approx. 59 graduates
- Business Management – approx. 55 graduates
- Event Management – approx. 36 graduates
- Biomedical Science – approx. 22 graduates
- Criminology – approx. 23 graduates
- Psychology – approx. 22 graduates
- Fashion – approx. 17 graduates
- Sports Science – approx. 22 graduates
- Nutrition and Exercise – approx. 13 graduates
- Journalism – approx. 17 graduates
To register as a company or graduate click here.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay