The ECITB’s Graduate Development Grant is now open for new applications until 30th April.
The Graduate Development Grant programme helps to ensure new graduates entering the industry have the know-how to take on key roles in the workplace. Throughout the pandemic the scheme has supported 440 graduates from 22 companies, with 220 of those new graduates whose funding starting in 2020. Each individual receives £12,000 over three years to support leadership and management training.
New for 2021, the scheme now includes training interventions covering environmental sustainability and diversity and inclusion as standard. Plus, the learning outcomes and work based activities have been reviewed and updated to match the new, fourth edition of the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC.
ECITB Chief Executive Chris Claydon
Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of the ECITB, said: “The programme was created in response to calls from industry employers to mirror our support for apprentices with a fund to support graduate training. While graduates join industry with great academic credentials, they are still developing and this scheme helps to round off individuals’ academic learning with the soft skills required by employers.
“By taking on new graduates, engineering construction employers are investing in the future of the industry and the ECITB is proud to support our employers in training them.”
The Graduate Development Grant is one of a number of ECITB measures to support new entrants to the engineering construction industry. During the pandemic, the ECITB has developed and rolled out a new £4.5m Train to Retain scheme to provide ongoing training for trainees, apprentices and graduates, a £2m Scholarship to create a pipeline of new entrants, as well as developing new pilots around digital learning and assessment and directly funding virtual training over lockdown.
In-scope employers can submit their graduate training schemes (1st April) until 30th April and funding decisions in principle will be awarded by 28th May 2021. There will be a second round with applications open from 1st to 30th September 2021.