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Graduates to get gap-year money Graduates to get gap-year money
(about 1 hour 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.
HAVE YOUR SAY Gap years should be funded by those who take them, not by a government initiative J. Jenkins, Southampton Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Gap years should be funded by those who take them, not by a government initiative J. Jenkins, Southampton Send us your comments
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.
Applicants will also have to prove an overseas expedition would be beyond their means without the bursary. The BBC understands the scheme is targeted at graduates from poorer backgrounds and applicants will have to prove an overseas expedition would be beyond their means without the bursary.
Raleigh expeditions usually cost about £3000 per person. It hopes to help graduates develop soft skills, such as communication and leadership skills.
Raleigh expeditions usually cost about £3,000 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.
'Headline grabber''Headline grabber'
Funding opportunities for skills development is surely better than the soul destroying experience of sitting at home watching Jeremy Kyle Wes Streeting, NUS
As university leavers finish for the summer, the government has upped its campaign to try and help graduates find work during the recession.As university leavers finish for the summer, the government has upped its campaign to try and help graduates find work during the recession.
On Wednesday, it announced that 2,000 internships are to be made available through a graduate talent pool website.On Wednesday, it announced that 2,000 internships are to be made available through a graduate talent pool website.
In addition, Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper invited businesses, councils and charities to bid for a share of £1bn to create 47,000 jobs for young unemployed people.In addition, Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper invited businesses, councils and charities to bid for a share of £1bn to create 47,000 jobs for young unemployed people.
This will offer employment for six months, paid at the minimum wage.This will offer employment for six months, paid at the minimum wage.
The bleak outlook is also causing many graduates to simply stay in education.The bleak outlook is also causing many graduates to simply stay in education.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayer's Alliance, said the latest scheme was a "headline grabber" that would put a dent in taxpayers' pockets. National Union of Students president Wes Streeting said he welcomes the government's "creative thinking" that could give graduates opportunities to "gain valuable new skills".
"With youth employment reaching the one million mark, funding opportunities for skills development is surely better than the soul destroying experience of sitting at home, watching Jeremy Kyle, on the dole," he said.
But Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayer's Alliance, said the latest 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.