Graduates get jobs through ScotGrad
92% of participants go on to permanent employment
More than 90% of graduates taking part in the ScotGrad programme go on to secure permanent jobs as a result of the experience they gain.
Formerly known as the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme, ScotGrad is a Scotland-wide initiative operated by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in partnership with the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Service (AGCAS), Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council.
It brings together recent graduates with Scottish businesses according to their skills and the company’s needs. The purpose of the programme is to implement or progress an innovative and growth-related project the company would otherwise have been unable to carry out.
The paid placements can last from three months to a year. In the last three years, 458 companies have employed 610 graduates - 92% of whom have gone on to permanent employment.
Crawford Gillies, chairman of Scottish Enterprise, said: “A large part of our role is helping companies grow, and by so doing, to create jobs.
“ScotGrad achieves both aims. It introduces fresh talent to Scotland’s businesses, and offers much-needed work experience and employment opportunities to graduates.
“The projects they undertake have real significance for the growth of the companies they work with, and therefore represent a truly valuable additional to their marketable skills.
“To see 92% of our graduate participants securing permanent employment as a result of their placements is hugely rewarding. It shows that we, as a partnership, are getting it right."
Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance praised the partnership and the young people taking part in the programme, saying: “The Scottish Government is committed to opening up opportunities for young people seeking employment and this is an excellent example of what the public and private sectors, working together, can do to support that goal.
“We know that meaningful, quality work placements can have a significant impact on a young person’s chances of securing a job. The fact that the number of ScotGrad participants successfully moving on to permanent employment has increased to this level demonstrates very strongly that this partnership is getting it right.
“I’m delighted to see this initiative achieving such levels of success. I congratulate everyone involved and look forward to seeing ScotGrad and its young participants continuing to work together successfully into the future.”
Each graduate receives a minimum of £16,000 (pro rata) for each placement from their host company, although many employers pay more.
Creative industries and enabling technologies businesses make the most requests for placements. Energy, food and drink and textiles companies also host a high number of graduates.
The programme aims to place all its graduates on an entrepreneurship training course, delivered by Robert Gordon University and University of Strathclyde.
About ScotGrad
ScotGrad connects Scottish based companies with skilled graduates holding a HNC. HND, undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. The company provides a well defined project for the graduate to deliver over a 3-12 month placement. Employers pay graduates a minimum salary of £16,000 p.a pro rata, funding can in some cases be available, based on the type of project.
The ScotGrad team provides advice to companies on qualification and labour trends before advertising the placement vacancy on the ScotGrad website and other channels. The graduate community is encouraged to apply for the placement and employers access applications after the closing date to hold interviews and select their preferred graduate.
About Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) delivers the Scottish Government’s economic strategy by supporting the sustainable growth of ambitious businesses and communities across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. You can visit our website at www.hie.co.uk and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/highlandsandislandsenterprise HIE's activities contribute to a comprehensive range of measures introduced across the public sector as part of the Scottish Government’s Economic Recovery Plan. For more information, contact Lesley Gallagher on 01463 244244 or at lesley.gallagher@hient.co.uk
About the Scottish Funding Council
SFC is responsible for allocating £1.7 billion of public funds each year to colleges and universities in support of Scottish Government priorities.
The Council’s funding contributes towards the costs of learning and teaching, skills development, research, innovation and other costs such as staff, buildings and equipment in Scotland’s 15 universities and five higher education institutions (HEIs) (collectively known as the university sector) and 43 further education (FE) colleges. The Council also provides resources to enable colleges to offer bursaries to students on non-advanced courses.
About AGCAS
AGCAS Scotland represents careers and employability professionals in all Scottish universities. The AGCAS Scotland mission is to lead, and support the delivery of the highest quality career education, information and guidance for students and graduates, in collaboration with key stakeholders. For more information, contact Gemma Green at gemma.green@agcas.org.uk