A £17 million initiative to help graduates get the best start to their career has been given the go-ahead for Convergence funding by Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills announced today [Wednesday 11th February 2009].
GO Wales will provide almost 4,000 students and graduates with training and development opportunities to prepare them for the business world. With a focus on work placements, the scheme will also mean that SMEs and other organisations gain access to higher level skills to boost their business activities.
Made possible with over £10 million of EU Convergence funding through the Welsh Assembly Government, the project is led by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and delivered by universities and colleges of higher education across Wales. In addition to the work placements, the programme will offer a range of opportunities including the establishment of the Graduate Academy which will provide training to encourage individuals to use their knowledge, skills and innovative potential in the Welsh economy.
To mark the announcement the Education Minister visited Concrete Canvas who are taking part in the GO Wales programme.
Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, said:
“GO Wales will help deliver a range of services proven to help students, graduates and businesses in Wales. It offers those in higher education the chance to gain a head start in today's competitive job market. As well as helping students and graduates broaden their experience in a work setting Go Wales will benefit companies by helping them spot and retain future potential employees.”
Through the project, specialist training will also be available aimed at retaining graduate level skills in Wales and supporting graduates who want to work on a consultancy or freelance basis. There will also be online support via the GO Wales website for graduates working or wanting to work in Wales, and support for the training of graduates already working in the vital SME sector.
Roger Carter, Head of Economic Development at HEFCW, said:
“We are delighted that this successful scheme will have an opportunity to expand after being awarded Convergence funding. Wales is already at the forefront of graduate employability initiatives in the UK with unique schemes like GO Wales, and building upon it will not only help improve the skills of the workforce, it will also support small business placements, which is important in the current economic climate.”
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