Business Secretary Lord Mandelson will host a reception to celebrate the success of the UK's small businesses, as more than 50 universities took up part of a ??13.6 million Government fund to provide internships.
More than ??2 million is still available and Lord Mandelson, hosting the reception in Downing Street, has urged all universities to get involved. The internships will be provided by the end of 2010.
"We need skilled people of all ages to hit the ground running when they begin work, and these internships give them the perfect base from which to start", said Lord Mandelson.
The aim of the graduate internship programme is to give graduates practical help such as interview training and mentoring. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said almost 7,000 places are now being offered by universities across the country. The programme is run by the Government, universities and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Mr Brown said: "We are committed to supporting young people as they develop in their careers, which is why we have invested over ??13 million in new internships, and in the training and mentoring of people taking them up. I am pleased to see so many universities working with the FSB and the Government to give them this great opportunity and first taste of working life."
FSB chairman John Wright said: "Small businesses are stepping forward as the key to tackling this challenge. Research by the federation shows that one in five small firms say they are keen to take on graduate interns."
