The Graduates for Business project (G4B project details) officially commenced on 1st November 2006 and is worth £1.5m over 3 years from the South West of England Regional Development Agency.  
 
The aim is to increase the number and effectiveness of graduates employed in the SW. It will achieve this through two strands of activity: 

• Increasing the uptake and impact of current 'working with business' programmes (student placements) to enable more businesses to appreciate the benefits of graduate level staff, and to increase the employability of graduates, including supporting those having difficulty in accessing the job market.
• Promoting to graduates the benefits of the SW as a place in which to build a career or start a business, as well as improving the operation of the graduate recruitment market though the extension of www.gradsouthwest.com

The objectives of the project are to increase demand for graduates from companies in the South West, and to generate a similar increase in supply of graduates wanting to work in the region and able to make a real contribution to the SW economy.  
For further information contact Rebecca Barnett, Project Manager, on 01392 454103 or email rebecca.barnett@herda-sw.ac.uk.