New internship scheme for graduates - graduate jobs

A growing army of jobless graduates will benefit from a three-month "try before you buy" internship scheme for potential employers.

Recruitment Squared has been launched by 22-year-old graduate Andy Shovel, who is anxious to banish the "slave labour" label traditionally attached to internships.

He says: "We insist that potential employers sign a three-month internship agreement, after which the candidate must be given formal employment if things have worked out.

"Most graduates realise that it is better to work for three months for just expenses than hanging around on the dole while desperately searching for work."

He reports that business is "doing rather nicely", saying: "I only take on the very best graduates, and now my old university, Nottingham, and several others are acting as feeders, directing students to us."

According to his website, "companies can avoid the risks associated with hiring graduates. They can spend time assessing the suitability of the candidate at little cost and obligation, whilst giving the graduate valuable experience and knowledge of the workplace".