Welcome to the Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP)

Across the UK, graduate vacancies have fallen drastically and are now approaching levels not seen since the 1991 recession. 

In response to this situation, Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster have worked alongside Business in the Community to create a programme centred on giving Northern Ireland’s graduates meaningful work experience and a valuable qualification in a time they may have otherwise been struggling to gain employment. 

The programme is entitled GAP – the Graduate Acceleration Programme and is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning through Steps to Work.

For Graduates, GAP is a new work placement programme, lasting up to 26 weeks, designed to improve employability skills and help accelerate their job prospects.  As well as giving graduates the opportunity to gain vital work experience, it also provides them with the chance to study for a specifically designed qualification at no cost.

For Employers, GAP provides the opportunity to benefit from the fresh enthusiasm and the additional skills that graduate talent can bring in completing a business improvement project or a piece of work, while providing them with the opportunity to position themselves as an employer of choice.