New system to help skilled workers - graduate jobs

In an effort to support graduates and other highly-skilled employees who are made redundant, the Government has introduced a new web-based system.

It is specially designed to help skilled people find jobs in growing sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing and engineering.

The system will become fully operational by January 2012, with some 1,500 employers across the UK - ranging from large organisations to small and medium-sized enterprises likely to sign up by then.

Firms like Nissan, Airbus and Siemens are already hiring staff with the help of the system.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: "The defence sector makes a substantial contribution to the country's skills economy through high-value jobs and as a key sponsor of apprenticeships and training.

"This easily accessible system will play a vital role in ensuring that these skills are not lost by redeploying highly-skilled workers into growing sectors of advanced manufacturing such as automotive, energy, infrastructure and aerospace."

Copyright Press Association 2011