COMPANIES in the Bolton and Bury area are being offered substantial wage subsidies to employ Bolton Institute graduates.

The scheme uses investment from the European Social Fund to pay almost half the wages of a new graduate employee for his or her first year at work.

It is supported by Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council.

Up to 45 per cent of a new graduate employee's wages is available to Bolton firms and up to 40 per cent in Bury.

A Bolton Institute spokesman said the small percentage difference between the two towns stemmed from different funding sources.

The spokesman said the object was to increase the level of graduate employment in Bolton and Bury and improve the skills base of companies in the local small-to-medium sector of industry and commerce.

The scheme is only available to small and medium firms (under 250 employees).

Bolton area companies considering taking part in the scheme can obtain full details from Ken Dickings at the Faculty of Technology, Bolton Institute, Deane Road, Bolton BL3 5AB. (Tel: 01204 528851).

The contact for Bury firms is Roy Murphy in the Bolton Business School - same address and telephone number.

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