30/09/2009

Boost For Small Business Interns

Around 10,000 new graduate internships have been backed by the government.

The joint initiative with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is aimed at bolstering the employability of young people within the small business community.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the government is committed to nurturing "the wealth of aspiration and talent that exists in Britain".

"We can today offer in partnership with the FSB, 10,000 skilled internships so that, even in the midst of tough economic times, we are encouraging a whole new generation of young Britons," he said.

FSB National Chairman John Wright said the Federation has been calling for increased government support over the past few months.

"The government's pledge to set up 10,000 skilled internships is a real victory for the FSB and a victory for small businesses across the country," he said.

"Small firms will benefit from the skills of this workforce, which they traditionally find harder to recruit."

Minister for Higher Education David Lammy said: "We believe this will give more graduates the chance to work on serious projects, getting hands on experience of working in businesses and to understand the potential which exists in the small and micro business sector."

(PR/KMcA)

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