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GRADS for D2N2

The GRADS for D2N2 project provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire a complete package of free and subsidised support to help you benefit from graduate talent in the region.

Whether you’re an SME looking to recruit local graduates, or you’re keen to see how graduate and high-level skills could support your business in different ways, this project can help you access the support, advice and funding to plug skills gaps, achieve more, and grow your business.

The project support package

The project support packages offer various different ways we can support your business.

Once enrolled on the project, you can request a free, full review of your business including a training needs analysis. This will help to identify your business’ future needs based on your short, medium and long term goals.

The team can explore with you how graduates and high-level skills could boost your business productivity and ensure you attract and retain the best workforce.

The Organisational Needs Assessment will help us to identify some key actions to put in place to drive your business forward.

We will provide recommendations for your business and external support available to your business. Together we will design an action plan which will provide concrete objectives to help you overcome existing barriers and prosper in the long term.

Our Engagement team are able to work with you to provide expert advice on everything from attracting, selecting and retaining new employees and the support available for this.

We can also work with you to raise your brand awareness on campus, by helping you to connect effectively with the Nottingham College talent pool. This can be through job fairs, open events, work experience, creating live briefs for our students to work on or guest talks. Our students cannot wait to meet you!

Introduce new talent to your business through intermediate and advanced apprenticeships in a wide variety of job roles.

Up-skill your existing workforce through higher level apprenticeships. This will motivate them by enhancing their existing skills and providing them with new ones such as in leadership and management.

Apprenticeships could be the key to your organisations' professional development, and you could be entitled to 95%- 100% funding of the full cost of an apprenticeship programme.

Through co-design we aim to continually put SME needs, insight and experience at the core of developing and delivering our courses. Ensuring a future workforce you would be proud to hire within your business.

Get involved in our industry advisory boards, bring our curriculum to life by working on live briefs with our students. Alternatively, raise brand awareness and give insight in to your industry by giving guest speaker talks or supporting our students with work experience.

Who is eligible?

SMEs based that are based in the D2N2 area (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) are eligible for support.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined as: 

  • Less than 250 employees 
  • Annual turnover under EUR 50 million or; 
  • Annual balance sheet less than EUR 43 million 

This project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF).

Case study

Contact Us

Support through the ESF High Level Skills programme is available to SMEs across D2N2 until June 2021.

If you are interested in accessing these services or would like to know more, contact our team on hls@​nottinghamcollege.​ac.​uk or by calling 0115 945 7260.