Telling our story: supporting local businesses and boosting graduate employment in Ashfield
The Graduate Placements strand of the Enterprising Ashfield programme has created graduate pathways for 69 individuals, some of whom have stayed on with the business to explore further opportunities.
Enterprising Ashfield
Enterprising Ashfield is a joint-funded, £7.5m programme delivering a comprehensive start-up to scale-up, business growth and skills development programme, in the Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield Towns Fund area.
Delivered by NTU on behalf of Ashfield District Council, the programme is driving regional growth. As of spring 2026, we have enhanced the skills of nearly 1,500 learners, supported over 180 businesses, and created graduate pathways for 69 individuals.
Talent Grants
Between 2022 and 2025, the strand placed these 69 graduates across 37 organisations in a range of sectors, including engineering, education, creative & digital, construction, finance, logistics, and charity.
We awarded a total of £215k to support the placements, match-funded by the participating organisations.
Chris Parker, Recruitment Business Partner of Svella Connect, a telecommunications and digital infrastructure company in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, recruited a graduate who is still working at the company.
The project has had a positive impact by providing a talented and knowledgeable individual in our IT department who is still employed with Svella Connect and progressing well and I am hoping we will be able to make more placements like this going forward using the project.
Chris Parker, Svella Connect
Read more about Chris' story.
Outcomes
The Graduate Placements strand has built strong employer relationships, increased opportunities for graduates and raised awareness of further opportunities for businesses though engaging with NTU.
Certain business start-up and business growth support is still available through Enterprising Ashfield, until the end of September 2026.
Find out more about accessing business support through Enterprising Ashfield.
Learn about different types of support and check your eligibility.