Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1730: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the Graduate Internship Programme will commence and where details on this programme may be found. [32909/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Enterprise Ireland's (EI) support to graduates currently falls into two categories, the Graduates 4 International Growth (Pilot Programme) and the Enterprise Ireland International Graduate Programme.

The Graduates 4 International Growth (G4IG) programme, which was launched on 30 August 2010, aims to place 50 top-level college graduates in export-led Irish firms. It is 18 months in duration, with participants based for a minimum of 12 months in an overseas market (Europe excluding the UK, North America, Brazil, Russia and The Gulf). It has a strong focus on action learning and project work coupled with skills modules on relevant topics such as cultural diversity, market development/strategy, sales and marketing. The programme matches graduates who show potential with ambitious internationally trading companies and provides them with a structured means of developing new skills in business development, while also delivering a key project for the companies involved.

Details are available for both companies and graduates at http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/G4IG. The closing date for applications was 27 September 2010.

Enterprise Ireland's International Graduate Programme involves a placement of 2 years. This programme aims to provide 15 graduates with in-depth overseas marketing and business strategy know how. Graduates with primary and post-graduate degrees across disciplines such as business, social science, science, manufacturing technology and engineering who would like to make a career in international Irish businesses are eligible. Details are available on: http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/About-Us/Our-People/Overview-Careers-in-Enterprise-Ireland.html

Graduates taking part in the 2010 International Graduate Programme commenced working in their overseas locations on 27 September.

Applications for the 2011–2013 programme will be invited in October 2010 and the closing date will be 31 January 2011.