Steps to Work - Graduate Acceleration Programme

The Department for Employment and Learning has enhanced the Steps to Work programme to meet the needs of unemployed graduates.

The Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP)

The Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP) developed by Business in the Community (BITC) in partnership with the Department, Queen’s University and the University of Ulster, will help address the increasing number of graduates who find themselves unemployed as a result of the economic downturn.

The programme will improve their employability skills and help accelerate their job prospects to help them move into work.

GAP involves a work placement lasting up to 26 weeks, during which graduates also undertake a project or specific piece of work, while studying for one of two specially developed qualifications: the Graduate Certificate in Organisation and Management with Queen’s University Belfast or the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice with the University of Ulster.

Further information

Further information for both Graduates and Employers is available from the Graduate Acceleration Programme website.

• Graduate Acceleration Programme website

More useful links

• Apprenticeships (education, learning and skills section)
• Training for Success (education,learningand skills section)
• Bridge to Employment for jobseekers