A scheme which gives businesses in Skye and Lochalsh the chance to access the fresh ideas and skills of graduates, while giving them valuable work experience is proving to be a huge success.

The Graduate Placement Scheme, set up by Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE) in 1997 with funding from the European Social Fund, marries graduates with small and medium-sized companies in the area. Graduate Placement Scheme officer at SALE, Claire Campbell said: "The idea behind the Graduate Placement Scheme is to help companies tackle a business development opportunity with help from a newly qualified graduate who can offer fresh ideas, new skills and lots of enthusiasm."

The injection of new management techniques or technical expertise can make a significant difference and yield a high return for a small company. Conservation charity, the Eilean Ban Trust has reaped the benefits of participating in the project. Caroline Robson, the Trust's project co-ordinator said: "As a new organisation we really could not have progressed so quickly and professionally without involvement in the Graduate Placement Scheme."

The scheme can help employers with the cost of employing a graduate as well as providing recruitment advice. Meanwhile, SALE offers graduates additional training such as courses in IT skills, e-commerce and project management.

Graduates with roots in the area who wish to return to live and work after completing their formal education have the opportunity to do so through the project. In the past five years the Graduate Placement Scheme has assisted 25 placements in local businesses. During this time 60 per cent of the placements have led to the creation of full-time jobs.

Gilleasbuig Ferguson from Portree on Skye graduated from Sabhal Mor Ostaig two years ago with a Business Diploma after successfully completing a Biology degree at Aberdeen University. With help from SALE he landed a placement at Gaelic television company Media nan Eilean.

Working as a media researcher in the firm's Broadford office, Gilleasbuig says he is delighted to be given the opportunity to gain practical work experience whilst living in the area: "I feel very fortunate to have gained full-time employment at home on Skye, rather than having to move away to the mainland.

"As well as enjoying the varied work which the placement has provided, I have gained practical new skills from additional training provided by SALE."

After graduating from Aberdeen University, Nuala McKay from Glasgow secured a placement with the Eilean Ban Trust where she is putting her Environmental Science degree to good use. Originally employed to work on the interpretation for the Bright Water Visitor Centre, Nuala is now concentrating on the promotion of the Centre through marketing and advertising.

Commenting on the success she has achieved through the Graduate Placement Scheme, Nuala said: "I feel privileged to have the opportunity to be able to work in a field I am dedicated to, in a place I am passionate about."

Angela Gillies from Borve on Skye also took up a 10 month placement at Sabhal Mor Ostaig having graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in Celtic Studies. Angela has since secured a full-time position with the College working as a marketing officer.

Angela said: "The Graduate Placement Scheme helped me acquire new skills and gain experience in marketing and with support and training from SALE, has allowed me to assess if this was what I wanted to do in the future.

"I feel very fortunate to have secured such a challenging and enjoyable job especially at home on Skye."

Chair of Sabhal Mor Ostaig marketing group and head of staff development, Archie Maclean said: "The Graduate Placement Scheme has made it possible for us to develop our marketing activities in ways which otherwise would not have been possible. We had a marketing plan but would not have been able to carry it out so quickly or effectively without this scheme."