A NEW graduate grant scheme has been launched by Malvern Hills District Council to combat the shortage of higher level skills in the area.

The scheme, which is being run in partnership with the University of Worcester and Graduate Advantage, will enable businesses to claim up to £3,000 towards the costs of recruiting a placement student from the university’s Business School or hiring an intern through Graduate Advantage. The aim is to help local businesses recruit and retain graduates with the skills companies need to help them grow.

Cllr Rebecca Massey, portfolio holder for economic development at MHDC, said: “Businesses repeatedly report issues with finding and retaining the graduates that are essential to growth and succession planning. The barriers are complex, and we don’t expect to fix them all in one go. This new scheme not only gives smaller businesses financial help towards recruitment costs, but provides a free, simple recruitment service with the opportunity to trial potential new employees before they hire.

“Our priority is to retain young people in the area and give them the skills to access the fantastic career opportunities available locally. However the Malvern Hills is home to some of the most innovative technology companies in the UK, and they are talent hunting in a globally competitive and highly mobile graduate labour market. Our scheme will offer businesses the flexibility to both develop new working relationships with University of Worcester students as potential employees, whilst also recruit further afield for those specialist skills that are not always available locally.”

Tim Maxfield, director of business development at the University of Worcester Business School, added: “ Worcester Business School is committed to playing its part in the economic development of Worcestershire and this initiative with Malvern Hills District Council is timely and designed to carry impact. Our students and graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute to business from day one, and we know that students who do their placement year with a local business, are more likely to stay in the area and are much more employable having experienced the rigours of a busy working environment already.”