Talented young people are being urged to join a Nottinghamshire programme that is helping boost opportunities and retain local skills.

The appeal comes from Ashfield and Mansfield District Councils, who are looking for graduates and undergraduates to take up paid placements offered by both councils as well as local businesses.

The programme, jointly funded by Nottinghamshire County Council, links recent university graduates, or undergraduates, with projects relevant to their studies to undertake a fixed term placement in order to work on a specific project related to the individuals’ skills and experience.

Many local graduates and undergraduates have already benefited from the programme with permanent job success stories being the outcome.

Thomas Moulsdale is just one graduate who has reaped the benefits of this scheme. After graduating from Lincoln University in 2015 with a degree in Business and Management, Thomas secured a placement in Mansfield District Council’s Community Safety Team.

Thomas said: “The placement has been a great opportunity for me to implement the theory of my course and gain valuable experience through various projects.”

The good news for Thomas is that his placement has been extended and he is now working as a Project Support Officer.

The councils have also benefited by having graduates and undergraduates like Thomas as part of their teams due to the innovative ideas and fresh thinking they bring along.

Cllr Dave Saunders, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said: “The Graduates into Enterprise Programme has proved to be a real asset to local businesses who are seeing an improvement in their performance and ultimately the bottom line as a result of the work these highly skilled young people are doing for them.”

Cllr Don Davis, Deputy Leader of Ashfield District Council, added: “The whole aim of the scheme is to help our local business community to improve their competitiveness by harnessing local talent and ensuring we attract and retain high calibre employees in the Ashfield and Mansfield districts.

“From the testimonials received so far from local employers I would urge our business leaders to take advantage of the funding available whilst we have it.”

Cllr Diane Meale, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Economic Development Committee, said: “Our programme makes sense for young people and local businesses. It helps us to retain local, home-grown talent in Nottinghamshire to help local businesses expand and gives young people a foothold on the career ladder.”

Any businesses that feel they could benefit from this programme should get in touch with the Graduates into Enterprise Team, who will discuss your project requirements with you and endeavour to identify and recruit the right graduate with the right skills for the job.

The Graduates into Enterprise Programme is jointly funded by Nottinghamshire County Council and Ashfield and Mansfield District Councils.

For more information on the programme, email the Ashfield and Mansfield Shared Regeneration Service at Mansfield District Council at [email protected] or visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/graduates