A recent report says that attracting new workers to Lochaber, offering viable careers for graduates from the area and enabling local businesses to grow and develop are benefits gained through the Lochaber Graduate Placement Programme (LGPP).

These conclusions were highlighted in an evaluation of the LGPP which has been funded by Lochaber Enterprise, the European Social Fund and local businesses over the past two years.

Key findings from the evaluation include: 

• 11 out of the original 15 graduates are now in full-time employment - the majority with local employers;
• Almost 75 per cent of graduates participating in the LGPP would not be working in Lochaber if it was not for the programme;
• 87 per cent of those who started the programme are still working in the Lochaber area;
• 55 per cent of those completing the programme were schooled in Lochaber;
• the majority of participating graduates originally from the area said they would have left Lochaber if they had been unable to find work;
• 75 per cent of employers participating in the programme stated that sustainable growth had been achieved by the graduates they employed;
• 82 per cent of the graduates had been retained by their employers once the LGPP ended.

The evaluation also noted that every employer taking part in the programme would take part again and would recommend it to others.

Gordon Ross, director of Genuine Games who took part in the scheme said: "As it is often difficult to source specialist skills in Lochaber, the LGPP helped provide an incentive to encourage graduates into the area. The programme provided us with very capable people with a good range of skills. They are now an integral part of our business delivering real benefits."

The LGPP which started in June 2003 offered local employers assistance of up to 50 per cent of the costs of employing a graduate.

Tina Davenport, development manager from Lochaber Enterprise said: "Both employers and graduates provided positive feedback about the programme which we will be making available again in 2006. Information will be publicised soon, but in the meantime employers can contact Lochaber Enterprise for details.

"Encouraging both the indigenous population to move back to the area as well as recruiting others from out with Lochaber proved a resounding success in terms of making a positive contribution to our economy. Graeme Haynes was recruited as a graduate designer with HotScot Technology Ltd during the LGPP.

He said "The programme benefited me greatly as it allowed my employer to take me on in a qualified role when they would otherwise not have been able do so. The high quality lifestyle and lower cost of living in Lochaber are other factors that make this area a great place to live and work."

Employers or graduates looking for further information about the LGPP should contact Tina Davenport on 01397 704326.