Business in the Community’s Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP) is celebrating its role in helping transform the lives of unemployed graduates across Northern Ireland.
Supported by the Department of Employment and Learning, through its Steps to Work programme, almost 300 graduates have been placed with local businesses or not-for-profit organisations to gain valuable work experience at a graduate level.
“GAP was designed to provide one way in which graduates could get opportunities to gain experience,” said Dr Gerard O’Hare, Chair of GAP and Managing Director of ParkerGreen International.
“Experience is proving time and again to be the differentiator between success in gaining employment or not. GAP, which provides a six-month work placement and the opportunity to study for an additional qualification, is a catalyst in providing this difference.
“With a consistent into-employment rate of over 50%, GAP is also helping to protect our graduate pool in Northern Ireland. Giving a return on investment is important for everyone and GAP is doing just that for graduates, businesses and government.”
“But more must be done. We must continue to increase the number of graduates who are gaining valuable work experience opportunities and look at the processes to make them easier for talented people in Northern Ireland to gain this experience. It is up to government and business to learn from GAP and make positive change.”
Alan Shannon, Department for Employment and Learning, Permanent Secretary who was the guest speaker at the celebration event, highlighted partnership working as being key to the success of GAP.
He said: “Close partnerships working between my department, Business in the Community, the universities and employers have resulted in provision which is meeting an identified need. To date over 130 graduates have found employment through the programme and this is good not only for the individual graduate but the Northern Ireland economy.”
Said Lynne Tinkler, GAP programme manager: “GAP is about business responsibly supporting our future workforce and helping to improve the employability skills of these individuals – and it’s making a huge difference.
“Some of our graduates are almost unrecognisable following their GAP experience. They develop skills, experience and confidence to tackle the world of work head on. We are delighted with the results.”
If you are interested in GAP, please e-mail marietherese.higgins@bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606.
For more information, visit our website www.gapni.com or alternatively talk to an Adviser at your local Jobs and Benefits office or JobCentre.