Electronic Precinct - February 1996

Speaking at the launch, Dr Peter Hawkins of the University's Graduate Into Employment Unit, described the initiative as 'a unique regional strategy, providing a forward-looking gateway between Higher Education and local businesses and voluntary sectors', this new umbrella scheme encompasses a whole range of projects and initiatives which are utilising European Objective One funds to assist in the economic regeneration of Merseyside. Key players in the scheme include The University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, and Liverpool Hope University College.

Projects within the Graduates for Merseyside scheme include the Graduate into Employment Unit who, in conjunction with Merseyside Innovation Centre, have already trained over 1,000 unemployed graduates and placed them in local enterprises. Over 90% of these graduates have gained full-time employment as a result and over 500 businesses have benefited significantly from the partnership. For more information contact Karen Gould on 794 4947.

Business Bridge is a work experience programme aimed at current students in all three local Higher Education Institutions. This is a very flexible programme which places students in local small to medium sized enterprises to undertake projects to solve particular business needs. Projects may be delivered as vacation work, part of a degree programme, or in addition to course work. For more information contact Vicky Cartwright on 794 4626.

The Teaching Company Scheme aims to stimulate innovation in industry through lasting partnerships between academia and business. The scheme is centred on projects of commercial significance to the Industrial Partner which requires technology transfer from academia to succeed. The projects are carried out in the companies over a two year period by recent graduates under the joint supervision of academic and industrial staff. For more information contact Professor Bernard Hon Tel: 794 4681, after 1 April 1996, Dr Andrew Jones 794 8025.

For more details about the Graduates for Merseyside Initiative contact Paul Condon on (0151) 224 2400.