RISE is an innovative, award-winning and unique business support initiative that connects small and medium sized businesses across the Sheffield City Region with talented, hard-working graduates.
What is RISE?
RISE is a business support programme aimed at supporting SMEs in the Sheffield City Region to recruit graduates. We help SMEs overcome the barriers faced in graduate recruitment, equipping them with the tools to become successful graduate employers. Since 2013 RISE has supported more than 400 regionally based SMEs successfully recruit over 500 graduates. Many of those businesses have gone on to report increases in turnover, productivity, innovation and growth as a result. Read more about their experiences of working with us on our testimonials page.
Who is involved?
The RISE programme is delivered in partnership by Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, and is part-funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
What support do you offer?
Our team manage all graduate attraction and recruitment for you, as well as providing you with the know-how to recruit graduates in the future. The programme helps you to save costs and time, as well as increasing your access to a wide pool of skilled graduates. The service is free of charge to businesses and a limited number of one-off small grants are available towards employment costs. Read our SME information sheet for more details and timings for the RISE recruitment process. As part of the RISE package of support, you will also be allocated a dedicated Relationship Manager who will meet with you after 3 and 6 months into your graduates’ recruitment. Find out more about other services available to you via the RISE Relationship Manager.
Is my business eligible?
To be eligible your business must:
- Be an SME based in the Sheffield City Region (Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster, North-East Derbyshire, Rotherham, Sheffield)
- Employ fewer than 250 people
- Not already routinely employing graduates
- Be looking to create new/additional graduate-level jobs
RISE are engaging with businesses from now until 10th February, encouraging businesses to get in touch as soon as possible.
