Graduate Apprentices
The ‘Improving SME Performance through Graduate Apprentices’ scheme offers a 3 month paid introduction to a North East based organisation. You will be employed by the company during the placement and receive all the benefits of a full time employee.
To be alerted when new vacancies are advertised, please join the Priority List. Newcastle University graduates can also search for graduate-level placements by visiting Vacancies Online. If you graduated from another university, you can search using totaljobs.com or Graduate Talent Pool, using the keywords “Graduate Apprentices”.
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Key Resources
- Priority List sign up form (opens in a new window)
- Making applications
- Text for speculative applications
- Graduate Apprentices LinkedIn group - registration required.
- Case study – QuantuMDx (PDF: 383KB)
- What is Graduate Apprentices?
- What are the benefits of taking part?
- When do placements take place?
- Where can I find details of currently advertised placements?
- How do I apply for a Graduate Apprentices placement?
- Need to contact us?
What is Graduate Apprentices?
Based on the success of the 2009-2011 Graduate Apprentices scheme which saw 134 placements allocated between June 2009 and January 2011, the Careers Service has recently obtained some additional funding to run it again, offering you the opportunity to gain graduate level work in the North East. 92% of graduates from the 2009-2011 scheme were retained in longer term employment.
The scheme is open to graduates from any UK University, who graduated in the last three years. You must be either unemployed or not currently working in a graduate level position to be eligible.
If you would like to be kept up to date with new graduate opportunities in the sectors you’re interested in, please sign up to the Priority List.
What are the benefits of taking part?
- An attractive graduate level starting salary of at least £16,000 per annum
- The chance to impress your employers and secure a permanent role
- Holiday entitlement
- Enhance your employability
- Build up important industry contacts
- Utilise the higher level skills from your degree course
When do placements take place?
The exact timings of each placement will be mutually agreed between you and the host company, with most commencing within 2-3 weeks of the advertised closing date or after working any required notice period (if currently employed). Availability of placements is ongoing and opportunities will be advertised throughout the year.
Where can I find details of currently advertised placements?
If you're a Newcastle University graduate, visit Vacancies Online (requires log in) and search for available placements by typing "graduate apprentices"' into the keyword search at the bottom of the page.
If you graduated from another UK University, you can view Graduate Apprentices roles on totaljobs.com or Graduate Talent Pool.
If you would like to be first to hear about our new vacancies you can:
- sign up to the Priority List
- 'like' us on Facebook or
- join our Graduate Apprentices group on LinkedIn. It only takes a minute to register and as well as being able to access a list of our latest vacancies, you can find, be introduced to, and network with other Newcastle University alumni and qualified professionals.
How do I apply for a Graduate Apprentices placement?
Whichever University you’ve graduated from, once you have chosen the placement you would like to apply for, you should complete the online application form within the advert on Vacancies Online. Remember to have your CV ready to upload as part of the application process.
If you already have an employer in mind who is eligible for the scheme (North East based SMEs), you can approach them yourself with a speculative application and information on the funding available. You will find some suggested text for your cover letter in the Key Resources section above.
If you are a Newcastle University graduate and are currently based in the area, we strongly recommend that you call in to the Careers Service for a 15 minute drop-in appointment with an information officer or CV adviser to review your application.
Shortlisted applications will be passed to the host company for review and the most suitable applicant will be selected following a round of interviews.
Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to apply for other advertised positions.
Need to contact us?
To find out more about Graduate Apprentices, or to discuss an advertised placement, please call in to the Careers Service or contact graduate.apprentices@ncl.ac.uk.
The ‘Improving SME Performance through Graduate Apprentices’ project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
