Success of £3.5 M regional programme to help unemployed graduates

The MMU’s Centre for Enterprise has been part of a key project that has helped the region benefit from £3.5 million European Social Funding targeted at helping improve graduate employability in the North West. Early findings in the programme evaluation indicate it is proving very successful.
 

The research indicates that over 90% of the graduates involved found the activities useful and would recommend it to others. Over 1600 unemployed graduates have been assisted by the fund, undertaking a wide range of different activities, some of which have never been offered previously.
 

As part of this innovative programme 90 delegates, including partners and key stakeholders from across the UK and Europe, attended a two-day conference in Salford on 6^th & 7^th December, opened by Professor Peter Strike, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cumbria. The focus of the conference was to share expertise, learning and best practice from the various activities. The aim of the project is to take forward the most successful approaches to support more graduates and students in the future – vital in the current economic climate. Not only will the approach of the universities be impacted by this learning, but the findings from an evaluation of the whole programme could impact upon policy at a national level.
 

The universities have delivered numerous activities including:  leadership and team-building days, filmed interviews; speed networking events with employers; posts have been created to support students; mock assessment centres have been run; mock interviews with employers; sessions with practitioners of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help students address negative thinking and confidence issues; Tips from the Top Table – a formal meal with employers has been organised; employer placement fairs and filmed employer workshop.
 

Furthermore, 92% of the participants said that they would recommend the programme to other students and graduates. The evaluation is ongoing and, alongside some stories that demonstrate the fears and concerns of some graduates, are stories of graduate successes being attributed to the activities that they have undertaken as part of the programme.