Yorkshire Forward backs scheme to get digital graduates up and running

10/03/2010

Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward has helped sponsor Yorkshire and Humber digital and creative media graduates after linking up with Leeds Metropolitan University and its Northern Technology Institute (NTI).
 
By the time the project finishes in June this year, it will have helped 60 graduates access training in the latest technology applications, as well as business skills to enable them to set up their own companies.
 
NTI, who are the Apple-authorised Training Centre for the Yorkshire, Humber and North East, is running the NTI Works programme, to which Yorkshire Forward has contributed £90,000. NTI Works provides advice, training, guidance and mentoring to recent graduates in the creative and digital sector who are unemployed or under threat of redundancy and would like to set up their own business.
 
Graduates become members of a talent pool and the project assists them to find employment, or become the next generation of freelance and self-employed digital and new media experts in the Yorkshire and Humber economy.
 
Graduates are also being given three months’ membership to the Innovation Showcase, the University’s shared co-working space which allows them to hot-desk alongside other start-ups and more established freelancers in the creative and digital sector. As members of this community at Old Broadcasting House, they can pursue joint tenders by ‘buddying up’ with co-workers.
 
Since June 2009, 30 graduates have taken part in the scheme, and a further 15 began their three-month tenure in January and the final 15 will take their places in April.
 
Ruth Adams, Assistant Director of Skills at Yorkshire Forward, said: “The digital technology sector in Yorkshire and Humber is a thriving one and we expect the growth we have seen to continue into the future.
 
“For that to happen we must give the region’s graduates as much help as we can to establish themselves in the industry and provide the opportunity for them to improve their skills and access the support and advice they need to take their ideas to the next level.”
 
Janet Mulcrone, Business Development Manager at Leeds Metropolitan University, said: “The primary purpose of ECIF funding is to enable the Higher Education sector to support individuals who are either unemployed or under the threat of unemployment to access training, development and other support, and to support businesses, particularly SMEs and third-sector organisations, by providing professional knowledge and expertise to help equip them to survive in an economic recessionary period. This project fulfils both of these goals.”
 
Linda Broughton, Head of the Northern Technology Institute, said: “Membership of the NTI Works project will provide advice, training, guidance and mentoring to recent graduates who would like to set up their own business.
 
“Being part of the co-working community here at Old Broadcasting House offers a unique opportunity for the graduates to learn from others who have been through the same experience, and can pass on the lessons that they have learned first-hand.
 
“This, together with access to the specialist training offered by NTI Leeds, is a great opportunity for graduates, and unsurprisingly it has proved to be very popular”. 

More information

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Murphy, Press Manager on 0113 3949904 or email Daniel.murphy@yorkshire-forward.com
 
Yorkshire Forward

• Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.