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An innovative new scheme called Manchester Masters is hoping to stop the ‘brain-drain’ of great talent from the city. Internships in prestigious marketing companies will be offered to 10 of the most promising graduates of 2009. Anyone from the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Salford, University of Bolton, University of Manchester Business School or MMU Business School can apply.

The scheme’s aim is to keep the best of local talent in the area, rather than losing it to London – or even abroad. The 10 ‘winning’ graduates – who can be studying any discipline – will embark on internships ‘within four very different organisations, over the course of a year and be paid a salary while doing so.’ The graduates will also live rent-free in the city.

Other benefits include a bespoke business mentor, access to networking events and complimentary membership of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Manchester Publicity Association. And this is all in addition to the obvious advantage of receiving quality work experience within a very competitive industry.

If you are interested in this internship opportunity then you must apply here before 13th March 2009. There will be an initial selection of 50 applicants who will attend a two day workshop. A ‘high-profile’ panel of judges will then whittle down the graduates to the final 10 students who will go on to complete the internships.

Companies who are considering involvement in the programme include Yahoo, the BBC, J.W. Lees, Deloitte, Bruntwood, Tangerine and Marketing Manchester. Any businesses taking part will contribute £60,000 over the course of the year for the 10 graduates involved.

The manager of the project, Sandy Lindsay – who is also managing director of Tangerine – has said: “We need something that will be so temping that people will fight to study in Manchester, and then when they’ve finished, something that will keep the very best in Manchester. This programme has been put in place to make Manchester attractive to students long after they graduate. We are looking for extraordinary thinkers to apply to make this student programme the best in the country.”

For those of you not lucky enough to study in the vibrant northern city, there are a selection of other internship and work experience opportunities on the e4s website.