Chris Kelleher believes more places will be found soon.

A SCHEME which gives local university students the chance to work in the Island during the summer holidays is proving to be the victim of its own success.

Around 100 young people have applied to take part in this year’s Jersey Undergraduate Internship Programme – but not even half as many firms have put themselves forward yet.

The States scheme was launched in 2006 and since then has matched 188 students with employers from a range of business areas.

As well as giving undergraduates the opportunity to carry out eight weeks of paid work experience during their holidays, the programme aims to match local firms with potential employees of the future.

Participating employers must pay the students the minimum wage, however they are given a contribution of up to £1,000 towards this from the States.

So far, 40 employers have registered to take part this year, but so far only 15 of the 100 young people who have applied to take part have been matched with employers.

But Chris Kelleher, an Economic Development project manager, said that he is optimistic that more students will be matched soon.

See Tuesday’s JEP for full story and four pages of business news.

See Wednesday’s JEP for Investment Review supplement.