Dumfries and Galloway Council continues to illustrate its commitment towards creating employment opportunities for young people through the Graduate Placement Scheme, with 10 Graduates taking up placements within the local authority earlier this week.
The programme will give each Graduate the chance to take on responsibility for a specific key project over their placement period of 8 months.
The range of projects cover pieces of Council business including Asset Management, Financial Monitoring Modules, Artist Exhibition planning and Countryside Access and Tourism. The ten graduates started their placements on Monday 29 August.
During their time with our Council Graduates will gain significant knowledge, skills and experience which will enhance their future employability. They will also be given the opportunity to complete training in Project Management as well as completing an SVQ Level 4.
The programme, now in the fifth year, has recruited over 50 graduates since it kicked off in 2012. Over 75% of the Graduates have gone on to work within the region when their 8 month placement ended, either within the Council or within other companies within Dumfries and Galloway.
Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson met the graduates earlier this week. He said;
“Our Council has demonstrated our commitment to building the local economy by providing young people with employment opportunities through the Graduate Placement Scheme. The majority of the class of 2015-16 have gone on to gain further employment within our region. During the next year we will be looking to give more young people similar opportunities. I hope they will all go on to successful careers within Dumfries and Galloway and enjoy their time working in our diverse, interesting and challenging organisation.”
Don’t just take out word for it though. Here’s what some of last year’s Graduates said;
Lauren McDaid, Transportation;
“The Graduate Programme provided me with opportunities to learn new skills, gain work experience and meet new people. The other Graduates and I formed a support network from the start which I think is important, as it made the transition from Unit to work a more enjoyable process.”
Atlanta Mason, Major Events;
“The programme gave me a good experience of how a local authority operates. I worked on a variety of interesting projects and gained experience in areas of work, I had never even previously considered. I added to my qualifications through training and was able to put this learning into practice through my day to day work.”
