Euro cash boost will help secure graduates

Mar 25 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

The brain drain of North East talent to elsewhere in the UK and overseas had been recognised as an issue for the regional economy for generations, though the trend has lately been arrested.

But with regional unemployment now at its highest level for over a decade – at 8.4% – there is growing concern that some of the North East’s brightest brains may go elsewhere for work.

Dan Brophy, CEO, Entrust said: “With this additional support, SMEs can expand their markets, improve processes, develop new products and introduce new technologies to increase sales and achieve financial savings.

"The graduates are exposed to the skills required to manage a business, as well as the challenges and rewards of being an integral part of a small company's workforce."

Newcastle based Carrot Media, a specialist graphic design and digital media agency, first worked with Entrust in 2005 to recruit a lead developer and earlier this year revisited the Graduates for Business programme to enlist the services of a web developer.

Newcastle University graduate Chris Barber joined the company before briefly gaining further work experience in London and then returning as technical director.

The most recent figures available show that for the first time in generations the exodus of young talent from the region is being arrested.

At the end of 2006 there were 750 more people aged 15-29 in the North East than there were at the start of the year compared with 2001 when almost 3,300 young people in the same group left the region.

The help is part of One North East’s Real Help For Business campaign, supported by The Journal, to help firms through the recession.

For further information on the help available contact Business Link at www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast  or tel: 0845 600-9006.