The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is to manage a programme providing 80 young Scots with paid work placements in charities and SMEs within the creative and arts sectors.

The umbrella body will deliver the Arts and Creative Industries Graduate Internship programme offering 13-week placements starting by 31 March.

Organisations looking to host interns are being encouraged to apply online by Monday 4 February. The placements will be jointly funded by the Scottish government and Creative Scotland, with the management of the programme, including employer payments, undertaken by SCVO. Maximum funding of £2,946.84 will be available for each internship, covering 455 hours of work at £6.19 per hour plus National Insurance contributions.

The places are available to unemployed arts graduates aged under 24 and based in Scotland. Successful applicants to the scheme will work 35 hours a week for 13 weeks.

Martin Sime, chief executive of SCVO, said: "This really is a win-win for young people wishing to work in a creative role and for the charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises that make up Scotland’s third sector.

"For young people facing a remarkably tough job market, the initiative will provide practical on-the-job training and that all-important first break in a very competitive industry. For the third sector, it will mean a welcome injection of fresh talent and creative minds at a time when many organisations face record high demand for services."