UNIVERSITY students spend upwards of three years studying and thinking about their dream job after they graduate.

But in these recession-hit days the dream can be elusive and anything which can give their CV an edge should be grasped and held on to.

Conversely, businesses in Worcestershire also want to get their hands on the latest talent who will have the drive, enthusiasm and skills they need to put new blood into industry.

How to bring the two together?

Graduate Advantage is an Advantage West Midlands-funded project partnering 12 universities across the West Midlands with an office at the University of Worcester.

The scheme offers free recruitment for Midlands-based businesses who want to find university students and graduates for paid placements.

The scheme is a not-for-profit organisation and provides the link between graduates and employers, giving them summer holiday and training placements and also graduates looking for immediate paid work experience placements.

Dan Davies, the business development manager and the Graduate Advantage representative, said: “I’ve been in this role covering Worcestershire and Herefordshire for the last five years and can honestly say I have enjoyed it so much.

“I found it quite a struggle to find decent work after I graduated so I knew what it felt like to be frustrated in not finding something.

“The reward for me in this is to see that I can make a link between what companies are looking for and what student and graduates can offer.”

One of the companies using the service is the Open Consultancy, based in Diglis, Worcester. It was looking for a creative executive to join its team on an eight-week placement.

Rachel Lewis of Wolverhampton, a graduate in BA Illustration from the University of Wolverhampton, was the successful candidate and has found it a good experience to work within a team in a business environment.

She said: “I knew it would be a step up and challenge from my university work but it has just been what I wanted. I am thrown into the thick of it but always with someone to ask for advice and I have really appreciated it.

“The best bit for me has been the sense of business urgency and to be working with new businesses and bringing in my ideas.”

Open Consultancy art director Ginny Fisher praised Miss Lewis’ work, and the impact she has made on the team.

She said: “We have taken on work experience placements before but we needed someone from a higher level; a much higher starting point so we would need to do less handholding.

“The whole recruitment stage of this placement with an assessment day for the short-listed candidates was an education for us and has helped us a lot for our future recruitment as it worked so well.”

Bluespier International in Droitwich, which develops clinical information systems, also took on a student graduate through Graduate Advantage.

Susan Williams, managing director, approached Graduate Advantage in her search for talented graduates.

They found David Farrell, who graduated with a masters from the University of Worcester and he took up the position of junior support assistant.

Mr Farrell said: “Getting a job once a degree is attained I thought, probably as most students do, would be relatively easy.

Additionally attaining a masters added to this presumption.

However, reality was quite the opposite.

“I joined various agencies, all of which proved very ineffective in helping find any sort of work that related to my qualifications.”

However, he finally landed his ideal role, with Bluespier International.

Mr Farrell said: “Graduate Advantage was extremely efficient and effective in helping me both apply and accomplish attaining a job. If I were to apply for a job again while in the position I was in when I graduated, I would say don’t just apply for jobs you would consider your ideal.

“I applied for anything going that related to what I studied at university, whether it was part or full-time, temping or contractual work and I still found it extremely difficult.

“Therefore applying for solely what you would consider your ideal job would be seriously limiting yourself in getting any job at all.”

Dan Davies said he receives very good feedback from both Miss Lewis and Mr Farrell.

He said: “I know that this helps in making longer term careers for graduates and helping local businesses in the region to become stronger, more competitive and to stay at the top of the game.

“There’s never a dull day as it is extremely varied. I’ll be doing drop-in sessions speaking with students about applications and interview techniques in the morning and then out visiting companies in the afternoon so it puts me in a very good position to pass on information between the two groups.

“I have no doubt at all that my work with Graduate Advantage is helping businesses in Worcestershire and it gives graduates another avenue for finding relevant work.”

For more information about Graduate Advantage, e-mail Mr Davies at d.l.davies@graduate advantage.co.uk or visit graduate advantage.co.uk.