Graduate scheme for Sheffield City Region businesses

RISE connects small and medium-sized firms across the Sheffield City Region with hard-working graduates. The programme, which is free for local businesses, is celebrating 10 years of excellent business support – during that time, RISE has helped some 600 former students find roles in some 400 SMEs.

Not only is RISE helping retain talented graduates who are keen to stay in the region where they have studied, an independent assessment found the scheme delivered significant increased productivity and innovation benefits, with an impressive return of £14 for every £1 invested and a £7.7million boost to the regional economy.

And one of those, Dan Blaney, has now gone on to set up his own company, Ferrio – where he promptly hired a software development graduate to help achieve his goal to make automation possible for businesses of all sizes.

The right graduate for the role

Dan, who gained his first job at Sent Into Space in 2016 through the RISE programme, used his skills and expertise to set up a successful small business of his own after seeing an opportunity to help small businesses learn how to use integration and automation tools.

"I learned so much from my role at Sent Into Space– because it was a small company instead of a big corporate environment, I could really make a difference. The work was fast-paced, and I quickly realised that efficiency was key to success. I felt I was able to prove myself as your efforts are often more visible with a small team and therefore more valued,” he says.

“In 2021, I felt the time was right to put my skills to use by co-founding my own company with my partner Alex Humphreys. I wouldn't be where I am without RISE so it made sense to approach them to help me find a software developer. We now have Cameron Roberts on board from the University of York and we're all looking forward to the future!”

How it works for businesses

RISE work to identify vacancies which would be suitable and help businesses to understand the labour market to make positions appeal to graduates. The team draft adverts tailored to the market which are then advertised both locally and nationally to showcase the opportunities on offer with Sheffield’s small businesses.

They handle the robust candidate selection process before presenting a shortlist for SMEs to conduct their own interviews to find the ideal candidate for the role.

“Businesses get to find great new talent for their workplace and graduates get the opportunity to make an impact and start on their career progression," says Merryn McGregor from RISE.

The scheme, which is delivered in partnership by Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, and is part-funded by the England European Regional Development Fund, can even provide a one-off grant for companies the first time they get involved to help offer a competitive starting salary.

Once a suitable appointment has been selected, the RISE offer doesn’t stop there – the graduate will attend a development day to help with the transition into work, and a dedicated RISE Relationship Manager will continue to offer support to the business, enabling access to relevant additional advice and initiatives and monitoring progress at a three-month review meeting.

The team work with SMEs in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Bassetlaw, Dronfield, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and the Derbyshire Dales.

"Many of those businesses involved have gone on to report increases in turnover, productivity, innovation and growth thanks to the graduates they appointed.

“And we can support every step of the way, from helping with the logistics of setting up interviews to training on recruitment in the future. We also have a dedicated SME Relationship Manager to support firms with access to further business growth support and wider access into our local universities. And it’s all completely free."

Find out more

If you want to discuss the RISE scheme, and how graduates’ innovation and skills would benefit your small or medium-sized business, book a meeting with one of the team directly at www.risescr.co.uk/get-in-touch/

Full details at www.risescr.co.uk