A TECHNOLOGY company that puts virtual signs in the sky has taken on a graduate.

Skignz, in Middlesbrough, has taken on Sarah Spowart, a Teesside University film and media broadcast production graduate.

She will work on short corporate films.

The company uses an app to place virtual signs in the sky that bosses say people can use to track down friends’ locations.

It employs 12 workers.

Miss Spoward said: “I finished university last year and have been trying to get a job since then.

“I had a part-time shop job and did an internship as a project assistant at the Arc in Stockton while I was looking for more work.

“I can’t wait to get started at Skignz, it’s a really exciting company and a fantastic idea.”

The university has developed eight-week internships to help North East small and medium-sized firms with a view to long-term employment.

The scheme funds 50 per cent of salary costs through the European Regional Development Fund.

Simon Brown, Skignz co-founder, added: “I’ve always employed graduates; giving young people the opportunity to prove themselves has always been important.

“When we heard about the new graduate scheme, it seemed a logical step to take someone on.

“Sarah will be developing 60 to 90 second videos and will work for two months.

“We fully expect her, if she meets our requirements, to get a full-time position at the end of the contract.”