The Government has revealed plans to ease the burden for 300,000 graduates seeking permanent roles in a shrinking employment market. The detailed plan is to be announced shortly but the essence is that the internships would last for three months. The aim is to give graduates a first taste of employment and the opportunity to at least improve participants' skills and experience. In some cases this might lead to full-time work. It is envisaged that Interns will be paid at a rate only slightly higher than undergraduates' income from grants and loans and so far, two major names (Barclays and Microsoft) are expected to take part.