Dr Appointed as Chair of Business in the Community GAP Initiative

12th Jan 2010

Unemployed graduates in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a unique initiative offering them a work placement alongside further study – all in the hope of securing long-term employment.

The Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP) was launched by Business in the Community supported by the Department for Employment and Learning. Working in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster the programme focus will be to help graduates get on to the career ladder in 2010.

Facilitated by the Department for Employment and Learning through its Steps to Work programme, government, the universities, and many businesses have come together with a common goal of helping unemployed graduates affected by the recession.

GAP involves a work placement, lasting up to 26 weeks, in which graduates complete a project or piece of work, while studying for one of two specially developed qualifications: the Graduate Certificate in Organisation and Management with Queen’s University Belfast; or the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice with the University of Ulster.

Dr Gerard O’Hare, Chair of GAP, explains what has been happening so far:

“We have already had expressions of interest from over 150 organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors as well as over 250 graduate enquiries proving that GAP provides a real opportunity, with mutual benefits, for employers and graduates.”

“The programme has been endorsed by the CBI, the Institute of Directors and the Chambers of Commerce; all are in agreement that we cannot afford to lose our next generation of graduates and a programme such as GAP is much needed.”

“Employers can gain a lot from participating in the programme including benefiting from a graduate’s fresh enthusiasm and skills, completion of a specific piece of work adding value to an organisation and the opportunity to be known as an employer of choice,” says Dr O’Hare.

“Additionally a Steps to Work Employer Subsidy may be available if an organisation is in the position to offer permanent employment to the GAP graduate – all in all it’s a win-win situation.”

Businesses in Northern Ireland are being urged to get involved. Every graduate participating on GAP will continue to receive their current rate of benefit plus an additional £15.38 per week.