By Eve Bentley-Hussey, SU Correspondent
In a pandemic-racked economy, the University's Covid-19 SME Internship fund is designed to support both students and local businesses.
The University of Bristol is offering businesses the chance to apply for one of 100 internships through The Covid-19 SME Internship Fund.
The University's COVID-19 SME Internship Fund is open to small to medium enterprises, and aims to assist struggling businesses during the pandemic.
These businesses will offer the internships to Bristol University students or those who have graduated within 15 months, in order to provide them with vital work experience.
The £125,000 fund includes £75,000 in donations from alumni.
Preference for funding will go to organisations which show how they have adapted to the pandemic and how they will benefit from hosting an intern. Extra credit will go to applicants who can keep the intern on beyond the funding period.
£125,000 has been set aside for the scheme
The University ran a similar scheme last year with businesses including magazine Bristol 24/7 and film company Stornaway. They received more than 2,000 applications from SMEs, students and recent graduates.
Editor of Bristol 24/7 Martin Booth said: ‘The opportunity for a funded internship is one that we will undoubtedly take again. I have no doubt that the calibre of both University of Bristol students and recent graduates will once again ensure that we can give them invaluable real-world experience, while they become a genuine asset to the work that we do.’
Bristol alumnus Joe Abbott, who interned at marketing company Scribeless last year said: ‘Having just completed my integrated master’s degree in Chemistry, I was able to use the analytical and research skills I developed to transition smoothly into a role in data analytics and marketing strategy.’
Professor Sarah Purdy, The University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Experience, said: ‘We’ve been funding student internships for nearly ten years at the University of Bristol. We do all we can to support our students to be as employable as possible.’
Bristol ranks seventh out of more than 100 universities in graduate recruitment survey
Unlike last year, the scheme is available to businesses beyond Bristol if they can offer remote working.
More information can be found here or by emailing jack.pitts@bristol.ac.uk.
Featured: Senate house | Siavash Minoukadeh / Epigram
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