Small firms stall on students

SMALL firms have been urged to keep taking on University of Bedfordshire students after recruitment figures dropped in 2011. Figures show despite an increase in overall graduate recruitment in Luton and surrounding areas from 1,800 in 2010 to 1,870 in 2011, small companies took on 556 students from the local uni in 2011 from 786 in 2010. Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Cheryl Smart said taking on a bright, young work-ready graduate makes real business sense.