Kent graduates and businesses show Minister how they can work together to beat the recession
Graduates and businesses from Kent met with Jonathan Shaw, Minister for the South East, on Friday to highlight how a new initiative is aiming to help beat the economic recession in the county.
The Minister, who visited Canterbury Christ Church University's Hall Place Enterprise Centre, heard how the Business First project aims to tackle some of the challenges faced by local businesses in the current economic climate and help graduates gain the valuable hands-on experience and skills needed to gain employment.
Business First, launched in May 2009 with a £311,563 grant from Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), is run by Canterbury Christ Church University, in partnership with the Universities of Kent, Greenwich and the Creative Arts.
It is the first of its kind in the south east and aims to provide businesses with a single point of access to the county's graduates who will undergo intensive employability training prior to contributing to Kent's economic growth by providing small and medium sized businesses with expertise and ideas during their project-based work placements.
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for the South East, said of the project after his visit: "In the current economic conditions, many of Kent's businesses will be looking for extra talent, while graduates from the area are looking for opportunities to launch their careers, despite the climate. This project provides employers and graduates with some excellent opportunities that will help the South East through the recession and provide it with a stronger and more skilled workforce.
"It has been very useful and informative to meet some of the graduates who have completed the first round of training and to hear their views.
"The Government is committed to helping them get into work. As well as providing funding for projects such as this through the Economic Challenge Investment Fund, earlier this year we also set up an Office for Graduate Opportunities to develop new opportunities for this summer and coming autumn."
Audrey Songhurst, Director of the Centre for Enterprise & Business Development (CEBD) said: "We are delighted that the Minister has taken the time to come and speak to the graduates and businesses taking part in Business First.
"This project is the first of its kind in Kent and will, thanks to the funding from HEFCE and matched funding from all the universities involved provide much needed support to local businesses affected by the recession."
The Minister's visit was the second high profile event for Hall Place in July. On Wednesday, 15th July the Government further endorsed its commitment to supporting graduates by choosing the CEBD, in conjunction with the Business School, to host a pilot workshop, with a view to developing government policy. The new Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Department piloted the Ideas Creation Workshop, giving graduates a unique opportunity to improve their skills and employability.Source: Canterbury Christ Church University
