SME Internship Programme - Durham University

SME Internship Programme at Durham University

Are you a County Durham based SME? Could your business benefit from the support and knowledge of a Durham University Intern?

If so the Durham SME Internship Programme, funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund may be just what your business needs!

Request Application Pack

Young woman with shoulder length blonde hair, dressed in black with a florescent orange high vis jacket, looks at the camera. She is inside a huge warehouse with blue and yellow steel shelves standing from floor to ceiling, stacked with pallets of various food items

3 logos, Funded by UK Government, Durham University and Durham County Council

Project Offer - 50:50 match funding for a Durham University 3 month Internship

The Programme offers 50:50 match funding for up to 3 months for a Durham University Intern* giving your business the chance to access high level skills with lower financial risk and the additional benefit of guidance and support with the recruitment process.

*based on a salary of £20,820.80 per annum

Request Application Pack

How will your SME Benefit?

Access to High-Level Skills and Knowledge
Benefit from the advanced skills and knowledge of Durham University's students and graduates, bringing fresh ideas and up-to-date expertise to your business.
50:50 match funding for Interns
Make it more affordable to bring an intern on board.
Comprehensive Recruitment and Onboarding Support
Receive full support with recruitment and onboarding, ensuring a seamless process and a good match for your company's needs.
Your choice of Candidate
Working in partnership with the University, your SME has full autonomy to chose a high calibre Durham University student or graduate ensuring the candidate meets the values and skills needs of your business.
Valuable Additional Resource
Interns provide a valuable additional resource, helping to manage workloads, complete projects, and support your team.
Reduced-risk Employment Trial
Enjoy a supportive and reduced-risk environment to trial employment, allowing you to evaluate potential long-term hires without a full commitment.
High-Quality Candidates
Experience the high quality of a Durham University intern, who can bring enthusiasm, innovation, and a strong work ethic to your company.

A group of young professionals sits around computers chatting

The intern has completed around 90 hours’ worth of work which involves rebuilding one of the Android applications from scratch... they are performing at a very high level to our company’s delight.

Coltraco Ultrasonics

Employer

A scientist wearing a lab coat looks closely at a vial in a lab setting

Impact

Results of an independent report commissioned to evaluate a similar previous SME Internship project, Durham Internships & Collaborative Enterprise Project (DICE).

Find out more about DICE

30% of SMEs increased collective turnover

75% of SMEs experienced growth

55% of SMEs developed new products or services

62% of SMEs took on a new member of staff

We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Durham University SME Internship Programme and for the comprehensive support provided by the University during the recruitment process. Our intern Will has settled in well with the team and has added dynamism to an important area of research for the Company looking at advanced antenna design techniques at millimeter wave and terahertz frequencies with the support of university Professors. We highly recommend this programme to other SMEs looking to innovate with the help of talented interns, and to assist in the development of the next generation of Engineers.

Viper RF Limited

Internship host SME

Eligibility

Your business must be a SME*
Your SME must have a base in County Durham
Internship must offer a developmental, graduate level work experience to the intern
SME’s must provide required evidence of payment to the intern to Durham University
Limited to one application per SME.

*Staff headcount not more than 250 AND either Annual turnover not more than £36m OR Balance sheet total not more than £18m

Request Application Pack