IT graduates are being offered places on a new scheme designed to offer better opportunities for internships to help develop their business skills.

Sector skills council e-Skills UK has launched the professional placement scheme aimed at boosting graduate student employability.

Called the e-Skills Internship, the programme has been designed by employers and universities to make it easier for firms to offer high-quality job placements.

e-Skills UK said research showed that firms employing IT professionals value stronger business, communication, and interpersonal skills in new graduates.

"The internship scheme offers students an agreed national standard which is valued by employers and recognised by universities - making those students more attractive to future employers," said e-Skills in a statement.

The programme is designed to boost graduates' business and interpersonal skills, to complement the technical abilities learned on their university courses.

Amongs the universities participating are Aston, De Montford, Sheffield Hallam, University College London, University of Kent and University of Plymouth. Employers involved with the scheme include British Airways, GlaxoSmithKline, Google, IBM and Network Rail.