Specialists from Huddersfield University are set to help Yorkshire firms boost their exports or break into new overseas markets.

Universities have been successful in placing graduates with companies looking for specific skills.

Now businesses are being offered the chance to select graduates and masters level students from Huddersfield University and four other universities in Yorkshire which have the specialist skills and expertise needed to capitalise on international markets.

The Graduates for International Business project is being coordinated by Yorkshire Universities, the membership association that represents all 12 higher education institutions in Yorkshire.

Emily Wolton, executive director of Yorkshire Universities, said: “Our universities attract students from over 150 countries, including postgraduate students who already have a degree and are working towards a higher level qualification.

“Their cultural awareness and connections in international markets, language skills and other specialist knowledge could be a massive boost for companies and this project will help to make that happen.”

Said Emily: “The project is really easy for companies to use. They simply contact Yorkshire Universities, tell us the profile of the person they need and we will put a call out to the higher education institutions to find candidates that fit the bill.”

Students are paid by the firms that employ them as part of the Graduates for International Business and companies must be based in Yorkshire.