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9 Mar 2006 14:31:14
The Regional KEEP project, managed across the East of England by the University of Luton, has secured more than 40 graduate placements worth £2 million with local companies.
KEEP (Knowledge Partners East of England) includes Cranfield University, University of Hertfordshire, Open University, Anglia Ruskin University, Writtle College, and Norwich School of Art & Design, as well as the University of Luton.
The scheme is a three-way partnership between companies, the universities, and recent graduates. Graduates work in local companies from three to 18 months using their cutting- edge knowledge to help businesses develop and grow. Each graduate is supported by an expert from the University, who provides four hours per week consultancy to the company.
University of Luton’s Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon said: “This is wonderful news for the University, for all the graduates whose employment prospects have been so greatly enhanced, and the companies who reap such significant benefits.”
Leading water-meter manufacturer Elster is now well-placed to stay ahead of the competition, with innovative new equipment developed through the KEEP project. In Essex, a graduate is working for six months to develop new bio-degradable packaging for fruit and vegetables.
In Luton, a local graduate Sabrina Williams has helped Bedfordshire Police to improve its customer interface. In Hertfordshire, an IT graduate will soon start work to provide an on-line booking system for a small cottage-rental company.
Each company contributes around £1,200 per month to the project. Despite this, the project is oversubscribed, and the University of Luton is now seeking further funding to continue the programme in 2006 and beyond.
Tim Priestman, Associate Director at the University of Luton, said: “We’ve had tremendous success with this scheme, with full uptake of funding and targets achieved a year before the official end of the programme. We have already accepted 59 company proposals with three more in the pipeline. The companies are from many sectors and vary in size.”
To find out more e-mail olive.strong@luton.ac.uk or call 01582 743261.
Latest news» 2006» Mar» Graduate and employer project tops £2 million
