Ashfield District Council has launched a new project to connect businesses with local graduates, funded by its share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Ashfield GradBoost project will work directly with universities in the East Midlands to encourage graduates from Ashfield to start their careers in the district.

It will also support unemployed graduates progress into the variety of graduate level roles that are available on their doorstep. Graduates in employment will be supported to remain in work and enhance their careers.

As well, the project aims to offer bespoke consultancy support to small and medium-sized businesses in the district to help attract, recruit, and develop graduate talent, making it easier for businesses to recruit graduates with skills and knowledge to take them to the next level.

Coun Matthew Relf, executive lead for Growth, Regeneration, and Local Planning at the council, said: “Graduates from Ashfield have a wealth of skills and capabilities that would make them an asset to businesses seeking to grow, innovate and diversify their organisation.

“This project will help to keep that valuable talent in the local area boosting the economy, skill levels and leading to greater opportunities for both the businesses and the graduates.

“This project is just one of the ways that Ashfield District Council is supporting local businesses and young people. We know how important it is to keep these highly-skilled people in Ashfield and this scheme will help retain as much local talent as possible. We have a fantastic array of businesses in Ashfield and we want them to help them prosper.”

The scheme will end in March 2025 and businesses in Ashfield are encouraged to get in touch with GradConsult Ltd to benefit from the project.

Ashfield Graduates can contact GradConsult Ltd to access this free support by visiting the Career Boost portal on the council’s website.

Gabi Binnie, head of Programmes and Research at GradConsult, which delivers the Ashfield GradBoost project on behalf of the council, said:

“We are delighted to be working with Ashfield District Council on this new project, which will support economic growth by helping small and medium sized businesses to access graduates from universities across the East Midlands. There has never been a more exciting time for graduates to start their career in Ashfield.”