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Eleven graduates begin placements this week that will see them working on the frontline of sustainability and innovation in Peterborough. 

Some of Peterborough’s most pioneering companies including AB Agri and Redring Xpelair will be hosting graduates from across the UK in six-month placements. Both homegrown and new talent to the city, the graduates include a successful candidate from the city’s own University Centre Peterborough (UCP).

The Peterborough Graduate Scheme is part of Peterborough DNA – the programme shaping a smarter and more sustainable city. Its aim is to demonstrate the impact that talented individuals can have on a business and reinforce the graduate presence in the city already being generated through UCP.

Steve Bowyer, director of the Peterborough DNA programme and Acting Chief Executive of Opportunity Peterborough, welcomed the initiative: “The Peterborough Graduate Scheme is a great way of supporting talent into some of the amazing companies in the city. These are leading edge companies and it will be a great experience for both the businesses and the graduates involved. It also helps to build Peterborough’s growing university offer; accelerating the benefits that are already being felt in the city.”

One of the graduates, successfully fighting off competition from over 600 applicants, is from University Centre Peterborough (UCP).

Academic Director of UCP, Liz Knight says: “This was a highly competitive scheme with students from all over the country applying. UCP is still a relatively young university and it’s fantastic that our graduates are competing nationally to work with some world-leading companies. We know what we can achieve when we work with our local businesses, and I hope that this helps to further demonstrate the talent on the doorstep.”

The Peterborough Graduate Scheme is being delivered in partnership by Opportunity Peterborough, University Centre Peterborough and Change Agents UK. The companies hosting graduates are: Redring Xpelair, AB Agri, Premier Kitchens & Bedrooms, Skanska, Peterborough Environment City Trust, Webroster, Athene Communications, The Green Backyard, Cross Keys Homes, Queensgate, and Amey.

In 2012 Peterborough was one of four UK cities chosen by the government as a ‘Future Cities Demonstrator’. Peterborough DNA was developed to test innovative ideas to demonstrate how cities could take a new approach to how they run. To find out more visit www.peterboroughdna.com