What is it?

The Graduate Placement Programme Argyll and Bute offers small to medium sized enterprises and social enterprises the opportunity to take on a graduate – and we’ll fund up to 50% of their salary. 

Is there an aspect of your business that’d be more efficient if you brought in new skills, fresh thinking or additional resources?  Could a graduate support you with succession planning or long-term recruitment challenges?

If you have a project role in mind but are struggling to find the time or skills within your current workforce, our Graduate Placement Programme can help.

A graduate placement is for a 12-month defined project with a salary of between £21,000 (minimum) and £28,000 with 50% costs covered by our fund.

HOW MUCH CAN I APPLY FOR?

Businesses and social enterprises can apply for 50% funding towards the graduate’s 12-month salary.

Salaries are typically between £21,000 - £28,000

Only one graduate placement per applicant will be funded.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Small or medium sized enterprises (as defined in Companies Act 2006 section 382 and Companies Act 2006 section 465) and social enterprises are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be based in the Argyll and Bute area.
• Applicants must comply with HIE’s fair work conditionality for grant support. For more information, please visit our Fair Work web page. If you want to speak to someone about the fair work requirement or need more information, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk 
• Applicants must have a defined and deliverable 12-month project for their graduate
• The salary range supported must be between £21,000-£28,000k

Graduates applying for a placement must have graduated within the past four years with an HNC but preference will be given to HND qualifications and above.

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE?

• Large enterprises according to the Companies Act 2006, as defined above, are not eligible to apply.
• Businesses or social enterprises located out with the Argyll and Bute area are not eligible to apply.
• Businesses and Social Enterprises from Arran and Cumbrae are not eligible to apply.

If you are not eligible for this fund, please browse our other support programmes to find out how we can help or contact us.

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

I'M AN EMPLOYER, HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

If you would like more information or if you have a placement opportunity, please complete our short form.

I'M A GRADUATE, WHAT'S ON OFFER?

When we have placements available, we'll advertise them below. Keep an eye on our social media platforms too.

THE SMALL PRINT – THIS IS IMPORTANT

• All HIE grant assistance is discretionary.
• Grant awards are subject to due diligence and budget availability. Due diligence includes: making an assessment on the need for public funding; the viability of the business going forward; the ability of the applicant to deliver the project; the impact of the development on the economy, and the strength of the business case presented to HIE.
• Priority will be given to graduate placements which have a net zero or innovation focus.
• Making an application to the fund does not guarantee that your application will be successful. If you are not successful in your application or you are only partially successful e.g. you receive funding of a lesser amount than you applied for, we will arrange a call with you to let you know why you have been unsuccessful and point you in the direction of other possible sources of funding.
• There is no appeals process. We are unable to consider a complaint purely relating to dissatisfaction as to the outcome of a funding decision. However, if you have identified a specific process failure relating to your application, then you may wish to make a formal complaint. See our formal complaints process for more information.