Liverpool graduates get £1.4m boost - graduate jobs

Graduates in Merseyside are to benefit from a £1.4 million fund led by the University of Liverpool to help them gain work experience placements and improve the competitiveness of local business.

Around 250 graduates who have studied in the city will be eligible for placements and internships through the 'Graduate to Merseyside' scheme.

Paul Redmond, director of the university's careers and employability service, said: "The scheme provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to help local businesses, as well as for local employers to provide invaluable work experience for our students."

Graduates from the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool Hope University and graduates returning to the region will benefit from the graduate-level internships, which will last for about six months.

The focus of the internships will be on priority business sectors including biomedicine, energy and environmental technologies, business and professionel services, advanced engineering and materials, food and drink, the creative industries and social enterprise organisations.

The three-year scheme backed by the European Regional Development Fund is attempting to improve the employability of graduates through work experience and make a difference to the retention of graduates in the region.

The project will involve local chambers of commerce, Business Link, Culture Campus, inward investment body The Mersey Partnership and other employer organisations.