Coronavirus: Scottish firm offers free job postings to support students and help businesses bridge gaps in workforce

Aberdeen tech start-up Udrafter has announced that it is offering a helping hand to businesses and students amid the coronavirus crisis.

Brothers Daryll (left) and Luke Morrow co-founded Udrafter.

The platform, which says it is dubbed the home of micro-internships, allows companies to engage students looking for paid, career-relevant work experience on a range of projects.

It is now offering businesses affected by the outbreak the chance to post projects for free to help them cope with enforced staff shortages, including accepting projects for general oddjobs which might appeal to students with unexpected time on their hands.

Udrafter pointed to supermarkets, pharmacies, delivery services, care services and call centres as being among the sectors particularly badly affected, as demand for these services surges and some members of staff may be forced to self-isolate.

Co-founder and commercial director Luke Morrow said: “We’re acutely aware of the impact coronavirus is having across the business and student communities.

“Huge numbers of staff are either sick or self-isolating as a precaution which is putting a huge strain on business on top of the issues of keeping revenues coming in and the lights on. But there is a large body of talented, hard-working students who can pick up the slack and help keep these companies moving forward.

“All in-class learning has been cancelled at universities and colleges across Scotland, and it should be borne in mind that many students need part-time jobs such as bar and restaurant work to make ends meet. But many of them are now finding themselves out of work as the hospitality sector is facing a massive crisis.

“We think we can help businesses and students by offering free project posting on our platform and expanding the sort of projects we offer.”

Udrafter launched in Aberdeen last year and opened an Edinburgh office this month as it expands into the Central Belt.

Join our Facebook group Coronavirus in Scotland. Whether you know of a vulnerable person who is in need of help, a local community proactively helping others or a group offering their services to those hit hardest, this is the place to communicate it.