A NEW matchmaking scheme for companies to use student placements to improve their competitiveness was launched in Oxford.

Spectrum, run by the Oxford Trust, will match companies to students of different ages, from sixth formers to postgraduate researchers.

The Oxford Trust, a charity promoting science and technology, helps older students to find placements in local companies, from design and technology A-level students to Oxford University research biologists. It also passes on details of national schemes such as the Year in Industry and the Teaching Company Scheme.

Anne Lechelle, of the Oxford Trust, said placements could help to ease recruitment problems. She said: "Placements can improve competitiveness in small and medium-size enterprises as well as improving the employability of students. We can guide companies towards the best project and the best students.

Chris Riley, of hi-tech Kidlington company Vector Fields, which develops software for electromagnetic designs, said: "We find placements useful as we need staff with very high academic qualifications, who are difficult to find. As a small company we find it very difficult to take on a new graduate because it is such a drain on our resources.

Story date: Thursday 17 February

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