Posted: 09/02/2010
£120,000 award helps UCA support unemployed graduates
£120,000 AWARD HELPS UCA SUPPORT UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has been awarded £120,000 for a new project to help unemployed graduates find work during the economic downturn.
The grant, from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), will enable UCA to create internships for 75 recent graduates at small businesses, particularly in digital and low carbon industries, in 2010.
Challenge Initiative Fund projects: Business First in Kent and Creative Advantage in Surrey.
In November, HEFCE called on universities to assist unemployed graduates through the recession, and support employers in the Government’s priority areas, as part of the Backing Young Britain initiative. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) were invited to take part in the scheme, which will provide £13.6 million to support 8,500 graduate internships.
Uwe Derksen, UCA’s Assistant Director Research & Enterprise, who submitted the funding application said: “This funding award recognises UCA’s commitment to its students and graduates and the region’s creative economy. The programme will build on previous and current excellent work with graduates and business, including Business First, Creative Advantage and Tonic”.
Philip Ely, Head of Creative Advantage in Surrey, added: “This internship programme will allow us to not only support businesses in the south, but also help creative studios invest in other areas. Graduates bring with them a wealth of new skills, ideas and approaches that can create that competitive edge.”
Denise Harmer, Head of UCA Business First in Kent, said: “The new programme enables us to expand the current Business First project by placing graduates outside of Kent, particularly in London, where the digital industries are mainly located and where graduates often see their future career path.
For further information contact:
Uwe Derksen, Assistant Director of Research & Enterprise, UCA
T: 01252 892967/01622 620134
E: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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