Boost for Manchester businesses as joint graduate scheme launched

  • Thursday 5 August 2021

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A graduate scheme looking to boost the prospects of university leavers and support Manchester start ups is to be launched. 

Through a partnership between Manchester City Council and Manchester Metropolitan University, the Our Manchester Graduate Programme will connect local businesses with the best and brightest graduates in Manchester. 
 
Graduates will also be given the opportunity to undertake CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training, provided by the Council, to ensure they have the best start to their professional lives. 
 
With thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) making the backbone of the city’s economy it is important that the support is extended to the next generation of Manchester’s workforce and future business leaders. 
 
The scheme’s goal is to support graduates into employment in Greater Manchester which is critical for the City's growth, labour market and crucially the city region’s recovery from Covid. Consequently, the following areas will also benefit from the scheme: 
 
SMEs will employ highly skilled graduates.  
 
Graduate talent and skills will be retained in Greater Manchester, therefore supporting labour supply and economic recovery.   
 
If the pilot scheme is a success, in the long-term it will create a pipeline of graduate talent specifically for SMEs and allow them to compete with larger organisations offering established graduate schemes. 
 
Initially, a group of 10 SMEs will be selected by the university following an open application process. After this group has been selected, Manchester Met will work with those businesses to ensure that graduate roles created will be beneficial for both them and the applicants. 
 
SMEs interested in taking part in this scheme can visit www.manchester.gov.uk/graduaterecruitment to find out more. 
 
 
 
Councillor Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Employment, said: “This is a fantastic partnership and the Council is incredibly pleased to be working side by side with Manchester Metropolitan University to create the Our Manchester Graduate Scheme. 
 
“It is an understatement to say that the city’s economy has been hit very hard as the result of the past year, but, in this adversity what matters most is the ability to rebuild better than before. 
 
“There has never been a shortage of talented young people in Manchester who are taking the first steps into the job market. We want to make sure the most talented candidates are found jobs that will not only benefit them, but also Manchester’s economy and the city’s future growth. 
 
“We are proud to be able to support graduates and SMEs, especially during this challenging time. The scheme also supports the council's vision to be in the top flight of world-class cities by 2025 and aims to retain develop, retain and attract highly skilled people in Manchester."  
 
 
 
Dr. Stephen Boyd, Director of Careers and Employability Services for Manchester Met, said: “We are really excited to announce the launch of Our Manchester Graduate Scheme in collaboration with Manchester City Council. Here at Manchester Met we are passionate about the role we play in this city and are proud of all we do to support its people and its businesses. We have a strong track-record in supporting local SMEs to thrive and flourish, and this latest scheme is designed to do just that as we all look to recover from the impact of the pandemic. As well as supporting local businesses, the scheme will offer graduates a fantastic opportunity to play their part in this recovery too, giving them a much-need flying start to their careers via a structured graduate programme. This is a great example of the kind of impactful collaboration the city needs right now and we are certain this has the potential to make a huge difference to any business or graduate involved.”

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