Is my company eligible to receive funding?

If you are a small or medium sized business (SME) employing less than 250 people, then you are probably eligible for either of our schemes.  To clarify your eligibility please contact us

How does it work?

We will discuss requirements with you, and ask you to complete some initial paperwork - if time permits we will visit you at your premises.  We can also advise on salary guidance, job descriptions and interviewing of candidates, plus how to support a graduate whilst they are with you.

We then advertise, shortlist and conduct a telephone screen for you, passing you candidates who we feel are suitable for interview. 

You then arrange interviews and choose the best candidate for your role.  We will work with you to discuss feedback on both successful and unsuccesful candidates so that both parties can benefit in the longer term.

The graduate will need to be line managed, just as is the case with other staff that you employ.

For you, the internship is a chance to assess their suitability for a more permanent role, or a chance to tackle a project that you have not had time to take on.  For the graduate, it's a great chance to gain additional workplace skills.  There is no obligation for you to continue the employment once the agreed internship has finished, although about 50% of our previous internships have led to permanent roles. 

How much does it cost?

We provide a free recruitment service - this includes a consultation with you, advertising via selected online media, shortlsting and a candidate telephone screen.  

In addition, we are currently able to offer eligible companies some funding towards graduate wages.  This is provided through our partners, Santander Universities and Graduate Advantage (ERDF).  Contact us for further details

The graduate will be payrolled directly by yourselves and should be treated in the same way as any other employee.  The minimum you can pay the graduate, as an employee, is £259 (based on a  37.5 hour week) or £6.90 per hour.  The majority of our internships are at least three months in duration.

What type of internship can employers offer?

As we have access to graduates from ALL UK Universities, any graduate level work, in any industry or sector is acceptable.

The following areas have proved popular amongst employers, but we can consider other areas too:

  • Marketing/PR
  • Business Development/Research Projects
  • Environmental Management
  • IT
  • Science

The majority of out Internships are at least 3 months in duration.

How do I get involved?

If you already know what kind of internship you would like to offer please complete and return the Company Brief Details.  If you wouild like to discuss with us or arrange a visit please contact the Internships team on 01782 733371 (Maria Nuta or Kathy England) or email internships@keele.ac.uk