SMEs experience growth with Northumbria University funding

Following the launch of its ERDF funding scheme in March, Northumbria University continues to offer support to SMEs based in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. 

Through funding worth up to £1.9 million, the Northumbria Enterprise and Business Support 2 (NEBS2) scheme includes a financial contribution to help small businesses employ graduates typically on 6-month internships programmes. Applications continue to arrive as more SMEs sign up to the scheme and project activity increases within the region. 

Over 150 businesses benefited from the previous scheme with 81% of SMEs reporting that they retained the graduate within their business after completion of the internship. A previous beneficiary of this funding, Tim Cantle-Jones, Chief Executive Officer at Smart Grid Controls highlights the importance of the scheme and the benefits to the organisation. “Over the years we have offered internships to a number of students from Northumbria University. Most of those graduates have subsequently joined us in a full-time role and it has been a pleasure to watch talent grow. Northumbria University really understand the needs of local employers and always go the extra mile to ensure internships are a success. The Northumbria University Alumni is hugely impressive, we are delighted to continue to support their programmes and to welcome talented students into our business.”

Funding support will run until June 2023 and aims to support 120 SMEs and graduate starts up, including those in the third sector. For business looking to respond effectively to the challenges of COVID-19, and recruit highly talented and motivated graduates then there is still time to apply. 

Interns will be paid by the SME for up to 6 months in a graduate position to meet the business needs of the organisation with the project providing a maximum financial contribution to salary of £4,050 for a 6-month internship (45%) with pro-rata funding available for shorter internship durations.

To find out more about this exciting opportunity, and potentially identify a longer-term or permanent member of staff please contact internships@northumbria.ac.uk