UNEMPLOYED graduates are being offered the chance to learn new skills in a work environment.

Keele University's Project Green, now in its second year, is open to newly-qualified graduates who are struggling to find work, and those who may have graduated a while ago and now face unemployment.

The programme includes study towards a post-graduate certificate in Sustainable Business Management and a paid work placement with a local business to tackle an environmental project.

Project Green placed 70 graduates into West Midlands-based companies last year, and it is now recruiting for its March intake, with 40 more internships available.

Peter Hooper, head of research and enterprise at Keele University, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to enter a company at graduate level, gain new skills in environmental management and gain credits towards a post graduate certificate – and get paid for it."

All projects will have an environmental theme and could include areas such as environmental management systems, carbon footprint, green suppliers, green training for employees, energy consumption and recycling.

Applicants can register their interest by emailing ecif@uso.keele.ac.uk

Interested companies can call 01782 733587 or email the same address.