GRADS for D2N2 Project

The GRADS for D2N2 project has provided funding and support to eligible small and medium-sized businesses since 2018 to help recruit graduates and students from the University of Derby.

Take a look below at the impact these internships have had on businesses, students, and graduates alike and find out about opportunities available to your business.

European Social Fund and Department for Work and Pensions logos

The GRADS for D2N2 project is part-funded by the European Social Fund.

The GRADS for D2N2 project has supported SMEs in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to access the student and graduate talent at the University of Derby. Since 2018, it has been known as the DRIVEN programme to employers, students and graduates and was extended to finish in December 2023.

The GRADS for D2N2 project will come to an end in December 2023, so unfortunately the project does not have any further support to offer as we are on track to meet our project targets!

Please take a look at the project’s successes and achievements below. 

To find out what other support and opportunities could be available to your business, please visit our Business Services webpage.

GRADS for D2N2 Achievements and Successes

400+organisations supportedApprox. since 2018
400+internships providedApprox. since 2018
£200kawarded for graduate recruitmentApprox. since 2018

Developing talent pipelines through GRADS for D2N2

Our students and graduates have high-level skills, fresh thinking, and huge potential. By offering them work opportunities, SMEs in the D2N2 area have had the opportunity to build their talent pipeline by bringing new skills into the business, whilst helping the students and graduates to develop new skills and gain invaluable work experience in their chosen industry.

The GRADS for D2N2 project offered SMEs the opportunity to have a fully-funded 80-hour intern or a £1000 subsidy for hiring a graduate intern for 400+ hours. This allowed businesses to access the talent and skills of our University of Derby students and graduates, particularly:

 

Two young professionals talking in foreground; colleagues in the background

Case studies and stories

Throughout the project, we have spoken to our employers and interns to find out the impact of these internships and the importance they will have on the future for them both.

Explore the videos below to find out more about some of our internships.

The DRIVEN internship journey

Hear from both employer and intern on their journey through the internship.

Student Robin operating machinery at Pentaxia
Robin’s Engineering Internship at Pentaxia

Explore Robin's journey through his Engineering DRIVEN Internship at Pentaxia and find out how it was an invaluable experience for his future career.

Student Georgia with a colleague during internship at Heage Windmill
Georgia’s Heritage Fundraiser Internship at Heage Windmill

Take a look at Georgia's journey during her Heritage Fundraising DRIVEN Internship at Heage Windmill and see how it benefited her future career.

Student Sarah in a discussion with ChangeXtra owner Claire Mann
Sarah’s Freelance Artist Internship at ChangeXtra

Sarah's creative art internship at ChangeXtra saw her have a huge impact on the company's International Women's Day project, working with owner, Claire Mann, to create pieces they are both proud of.

Student Lucia with colleague during researcher internship with MacMartin
Lucia's Researcher Internship at MacMartin

Explore Lucia's journey in finding the internship on the DRIVEN jobs board, through to her working the internship at MacMartin.

Employer stories

Hear how employers have benefitted from student and graduate talent.

Just-Ice Directors, Sally and Gavin Murray
Graduate skills for Just-Ice

Ethical ice cream company, Just-Ice, took on a funded graduate intern to help them develop a delivery strategy to support their new e-commerce app.

Head and shoulders shot of Richard Beevers from Customer Plus
Interns for Customer Plus

Watch an interview with Richard Beevers from Customer Plus about how Derby interns have benefitted his company.

Accounting intern for Derby Museums

Derby Museums recently hosted one of our Accounting students for an internship. Find out about their experience of employing student talent.

Head and shoulders shot of Rebecca Erskine
Interns work remotely for Yellow Bird Marketing

Rebecca from Yellow Bird Marketing and Communications talks about her experience of employing a student and graduate, who worked remotely because of the pandemic.

Student and graduate stories

Hear the other side — read how some of our students and graduates have benefitted from internships.

Table decorations at an awards dinner
Internship helped build my portfolio - and my confidence

An internship through the University's DRIVEN programme took student Kayleigh Ayriss to the heart of Westminster.

Close up of Thomas Berrington, Marketing and Media student
Why my internship was a real eye-opener

Thomas Berrington's internship at marketing agency Crocstar added practical knowledge to his academic theory. But, first, it shocked him.

Head and shoulders shot of graduate Maciej Rus
Maciej's remote working graduate internship

Graduate Maciej talks about his remote working internship during the pandemic.

Find out more about opportunities for your business

To find out more about opportunities for your business, whether it be Graduate Talent, Training and Development, Funding or other, please take a look on our website or contact us:

Telephone: 0800 001 5500
Email: businessgateway@derby.ac.uk