Graduate Placement Scheme

A traditional problem in Shetland has been the lack of job opportunities for university graduates. As a result many Shetland graduates simply did not return to the islands which thus lost some of its brightest and most able young people. A related issue was that by not employing graduates many local companies lost out on the potential benefits that their training and expertise could have brought.

 

To help address these problems Shetland Fisheries Training Centre Trust established a Graduate Placement Scheme for the local fisheries industry in 1995, with financial assistance from Shetland Enterprise. Under this programme new or recent graduates received a one year placement with a local fisheries company. The companies involved received the benefits of the graduate's experience and expertise, while the graduates benefited from the work experience. By introducing companies to the potential benefits that employing them could bring the programme also aimed to increase employment opportunities for graduates.

 

The Scheme is still in operation and in 2005 was extended to all local companies and businesses not just those involved with fisheries.

 

Details

• The scheme is open to all graduates and they do not need to be resident in Shetland at the time of application
• The scheme is open to all local companies/businesses
• Companies are restricted to one graduate per year
• Currently Shetland Enterprise fund 50% of the employment costs with the host company meeting the remaining 50%, SFTCT provide all admin, etc and take on the employer role
• Currently the salary is £15,000 per annum

 

Benefits for graduates

• Practical knowledge and hands on experience
• Opportunity to help put theory into practice
• Insight into how the host company operates
• Networking opportunities
• Development of skills
• Enhanced career prospects

 

Benefits for host companies

• Cost effective programme
• New knowledge and skills relevant to business needs
• Opportunity to evaluate the benefits of employing graduates
• Opportunity to recruit fully trained and business aware graduates at end of the twelve-month work placement
• The placement is for one year and there is no obligation on either the graduate or the host company thereafter

 

For further information contact the NAFC Marine Centre.