This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8179565.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Graduates to get gap-year money Graduates to get gap-year money
(10 minutes later)
The government is to pay for graduates struggling to get a job to go on trips abroad, The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has confirmed.The government is to pay for graduates struggling to get a job to go on trips abroad, The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has confirmed.
It said the scheme will be launched with expedition company Raleigh International next week.It said the scheme will be launched with expedition company Raleigh International next week.
It will pay for 500 young people under the age of 24 to travel to places such as Costa Rica and India to take part in projects such as building schools.It will pay for 500 young people under the age of 24 to travel to places such as Costa Rica and India to take part in projects such as building schools.
It comes as graduates face an increasingly tough job market.It comes as graduates face an increasingly tough job market.
Forty-eight graduates are chasing every job on offer this year, according to a study by the Association of Graduate Recruiters.Forty-eight graduates are chasing every job on offer this year, according to a study by the Association of Graduate Recruiters.
A government spokesman said he would not go into details about funding ahead of the launch.A government spokesman said he would not go into details about funding ahead of the launch.
But according to the Times, graduates must raise £1000, buy their own flights and cover the cost of vaccinations to be eligible.But according to the Times, graduates must raise £1000, buy their own flights and cover the cost of vaccinations to be eligible.
HAVE YOUR SAY Gap years should be funded by those who take them, not by a government initiative J. Jenkins, Southampton Send us your comments
Applicants will also have to prove an overseas expedition would be beyond their means without the bursary.Applicants will also have to prove an overseas expedition would be beyond their means without the bursary.
Raleigh expeditions usually cost about £3000 per person.Raleigh expeditions usually cost about £3000 per person.
Prince William spent 10 weeks in Chile on a Raleigh International expedition as part of his gap year.Prince William spent 10 weeks in Chile on a Raleigh International expedition as part of his gap year.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayer's Alliance, said the scheme was a "headline grabber" that would put a dent in taxpayers' pockets.Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayer's Alliance, said the scheme was a "headline grabber" that would put a dent in taxpayers' pockets.
"The government needs to stop spending. It needs to focus on creating the right economic climate to allow entrepreneurs and business men to be able to hire new graduates," he said."The government needs to stop spending. It needs to focus on creating the right economic climate to allow entrepreneurs and business men to be able to hire new graduates," he said.