Laura Talbot, Employer Engagement & Placements Officer at the University of Sheffield outlines more details of the new scheme and how Sheffield City Region businesses can apply:
We are delighted to announce that we have launched a brand new scheme to support local businesses to recruit our talented final year students to work on projects. They include our final year undergraduates, postgraduate students taught and postgraduate researchers.
Our students offer a wealth of knowledge and transferable skills that can help you to kick start a project that has been put on the back burner due to the current climate. From marketing, finance, research, international communications, to technical innovation and expertise, our students are ready to put their knowledge and skills into practice, contributing to your business.
You in turn can help our students gain invaluable work experience by offering a project for our students to work on, and help them on their next steps to the world of work.
Previous employers that worked with us have reported business growth, increases in profit, and development of new processes.
What are the requirements?
To apply you should be an SME (employ less than 250 employees) based in the Sheffield City Region. You should have a project in mind that will be suitable for final year students, either final year undergraduates, postgraduates or postgraduate researchers to work on part-time alongside their studies, or full-time during the Easter vacation. You should also commit to the spirit of the project in supporting the student to get the most from the experience, offering feedback and support. The internship can be organised on site or remotely depending on the situation at the time.
Once vacancies are advertised, we will handle applications and support you throughout the selection process if required.
Projects will need to run for a minimum of 50 hours and to provide you with flexibility, they can start from anytime between now and July, as long as they are completed by the end of July 2021.
What funding is available?
Funding will be payable as a grant as follows:
- For internships from 50 hours, £500 per internship, up to a maximum of two internships.
- For internships from 100 hours, £1000 per internship, up to a maximum of two internships.
This should be used to pay the intern a wage of £8.91 per hour as a minimum. If you would like to keep the student interns for a longer period, it is expected that you should cover any additional wage at your own cost.
How do I apply?
To apply, please complete the application form.
If you would like more information, please contact: smejobs@sheffield.ac.uk
