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New help for unemployed graduates

Sign up to MMU TalentPlus

Hundreds of North West graduates are getting
'match fit' for professional work through a £1 million university scheme.

The Manchester Metropolitan University TalentPlus programme is a free week-long course to help people into graduate-type positions.

Launched in 2009, the scheme has been a storming success and has just attracted an extra £500,000 from the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

150 graduates have taken part with 70% of those securing a work placement or job, and there are now hundreds of more places up for grabs.

Apply now

Graduates can apply online at www.mmu.ac.uk/talentplus for the course which runs every three weeks until December 2010.

The course covers interview techniques, CVs, time management, self-assertiveness, presentation skills and enterprise. Following this training they are matched to a relevant employer for work experience to further them in their career goals.

Afia Khatun, a Business Studies graduate says that the scheme gave him "an insight into how employers recruit and what they are actually looking for."

Another graduate, Natalie Sidwell said: "The TalentPlus team’s wealth of experience has allowed me to exceed my own expectations in interviews. I have now found a permanent job through a networking opportunity and this is exactly what Talent Plus teaches graduates.

Outside the box

"You start to think outside the box and seek alternative forms of employment that graduates may not have thought of."

Applicants can be employed, and if unemployed they will still be eligible for travel expenses and Job Seeker Allowances.

TalentPlus was launched in summer 2009 with business support consultancy Blue Orchid, to develop trained graduates further to fit the recruitment needs of small and larger employers in the North West.

This funding will allow MMU to help more companies provide employment opportunities for our graduates. The scheme is also funded by the European Social Fund and Blue Orchid.

For more details of TalentPlus, please contact Dominic Martinez 0161 247 1977 d.martinez@mmu.ac.uk or Lorraine Cox-Tregale on 0161 247 2231 l.cox@mmu.ac.uk

Published Friday, 5th February 2010