A SCHEME has been launched to fast track job-seeking graduates into work.

The Leigh Business Academy, JobCentre Plus and the town's top employers have united to instigate a 39-week programme to provide work experience for degree holders and also give them a national management qualification.

A spokesman for the academy, part of the Management Centre of Wigan and Leigh College, said: "Leigh is rich in talent and opportunity yet some graduates still fail to find work as quickly as we would all wish.

"Without work or management experience, it is sometimes difficult to get past the first hurdle to find testing work. It then becomes a chicken-and-egg situation -- without experience, they cannot find work and without work, they cannot gain experience.

"This programme is the first one to challenge the impasse and provide opportunity for people with talent."

Leigh MP Andy Burnham said: "I am thrilled to support this scheme to provide meaningful encouragement and support for the Leigh Community."

Chairman of the academy, Leigh bakery chief Richard Waterfield, said: "It is rewarding to see so much interest from businesses that are committed to support individuals and the local economy with practical common sense and creativity. We will all benefit from this."

For details, graduates should contact JobCentre Plus.