Graduates offered temporary paid employment

The work placement programme for unemployed graduates has been hailed as "innovative" by Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey.

DEL's Graduate Internship Programme aims to enhance the employability of unemployed graduates by providing "meaningful temporary paid employment."

The programme, which is delivered by six local organisations in Belfast and Londonderry, will offer interns the opportunity to work in challenging and interesting jobs within the voluntary and community sectors across Belfast and Londonderry.

Speaking at a programme showcase event in Belfast, Sir Reg recognised the work being carried out in local communities through the unique pilot programme, saying: "The graduates involved have made a valuable contribution to developing projects in local communities through their work placements, whilst at the same time gaining the skills and experience that will be of immeasurable help to them as they seek to move into permanent employment."

The aim of the Programme is to provide 60 unemployed graduates from the 2008/09 cohort with the opportunity to access meaningful temporary paid employment, for up to 26 weeks during a time of high unemployment and high economic inactivity.

These employment opportunities cover jobs in areas ranging from Urban Planning, Research Policy, Community Regeneration, Sports Development, Web Design, Economic Development, Event Management, Community Development, Marketing and Communication.

The programme has provided this group of graduates the opportunity to experience a real work environment and evidence of a credible work history when applying for jobs. The Department will commence a comprehensive evaluation of the programme over the coming weeks.