In a positive attempt to stimulate the local employment prospects of Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole; particularly within the flourishing creative industry sector, the Arts University College at Bournemouth in collaboration with the Dorset Design Forum is very pleased to announce the launch of a funded Graduate Internship Programme.

As part of Creative Advantage – a collaborative project to support creative businesses and graduates, funded through the HEFCE Economic Challenge Investment Fund and being delivered alongside University for the Creative Arts and University of Winchester – businesses will be able to apply for a £1000 grant in order to enable them to employ a recent graduate, initially on a 3-month graduate internship programme but with a view to taking them on full-time.

“This project represents a great opportunity for the members of the Dorset Design Forum to grow their staff numbers and strengthen their offer without having to shoulder the entire financial burden.” Matt Desmier, Head of Enterprise for the Arts University College at Bournemouth said. “The creative industry sector has long been hindered by the problem of being almost entirely made up of small and micro businesses. This means that although the staff they need are invariably graduates, sometimes the cost of employing graduates is a little prohibitive – and especially so in the current climate. By providing a funded internship programme, graduates are able to prove their worth before the business feels the pinch.”

Working alongside the Dorset Design Forum, a business-focused networking group run by and on behalf of the local design community; initially there will be 30 internships made available but, should demand outstrip supply there is every opportunity that more funding could be secured and more internship placements be made available.

For more information contact Matthew Desmier on 01202 853602 mdesmier@aucb.ac.uk