Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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New Year, New Opportunities For Graduates

New Year, New Opportunities For Graduates

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 23 December 2009

STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 29.12.09
A new guide for parents of recent graduates written by award winning career coach Denise Taylor was launched today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The guide aims to help parents support graduates in their search for work and understand the support available.

With the New Year approaching, many graduates will refocus efforts on their job search and the Government backed Graduate Talent Pool website (www.direct.gov.uk/graduates) is a great place to start. With around 6578 vacancies and two thirds offering payment, the site matches talented graduates to internship opportunities. Internships allow graduates the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and experience in a real working environment and give an insight into what a particular career has to offer as well as being one of the best ways for graduates to improve their employability.

Denise, author of How to Get a Job in a Recession, says: “Now six months on from their graduation, many graduates may be in need of some family support in their job search. Despite their children being grown up, many parents of graduates are still naturally concerned about their prospects and want to be able to help.”

Minister of State for Higher Education David Lammy said: “Internships can help graduates kick-start their careers and are part of a package of measures to support them and improve their chances of getting a long term and well paid career. The guide explains all of the opportunities available so that parents and graduates can discuss the options together.

“Higher education is a long term investment that pays back big dividends over a working lifetime and even in these difficult times graduates do better than those with lower qualifications.”

The ‘Parent Motivators’ guide is available to download for free at www.direct.gov.uk/graduates.

For further information, please contact:

Claire Lundie / Hew Leith / Anne Clarke

Consolidated PR

020 7781 2392 / 61 / 39

Claire Lundie - 07715 171 843

bis@consolidatedpr.com

Notes to Editors

· The government has put together a support package for graduates, which includes:

- The Graduate Talent Pool

- Support and advice through Graduate Prospects

· Graduates can log on to the Graduate Talent Pool website at www.direct.gov.uk/graduates to get matched with an internship offered by large and small businesses up and down the country

· There are currently 6,578 vacancies, 4,046 paid vacancies on the Graduate Talent Pool website (as of 18.12.09)

· National businesses that have signed up to the ‘Talent Pool’ include Microsoft, Mazda and Oxfam

· The Talent Pool sits alongside the thousands of other opportunities available to new graduates that will help them improve their chances to get a long term and well paid career, including:

- An additional 14,000 postgraduate places supported by Professional and Career Development Loans;

- 250 short term placements through Mini Knowledge Transfer partnerships, rising to 500 in 2010/11;

- Thousands of existing volunteering options available through “V”, an organisation aimed at young people between 16-25, and other voluntary organisations; and

- The FlyingStart: Make it Happen scheme which offers free guidance and advice to graduates interested in setting up their own business.

About Denise Taylor

Denise Taylor is a Chartered Psychologist, Registered Guidance Practitioner and a successful author. Through her books ‘How To Get a Job in a Recession’ and ‘Winning Interview Answers’, as well as her personal client work, she has helped many graduates get clear on making a career choice and be successful in their job search.

Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Ian Thomson
Phone: 020 7215 5965
Ian.Thomson@bis.gsi.gov.uk

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