

A graduate scheme is a structured
training program that allows recent graduates to gain practical work experience
with a company. The structure of the scheme usually involves mentoring,
training and work in different areas of the organization. The structure of the
scheme varies depending on the workplace and the employer but grad schemes tend
to last between six months and two years.
Entering the workforce as a
wet-behind-the-ears graduate can be very tough. There's no syllabus to follow,
everything is new and working a fulltime job is probably not something you're
used to. Graduate schemes are designed for these reasons. They allow you to
learn the skills you need to succeed at work and provide the training and
support you need to start your career. They usually include mentoring programs
from a senior at the organization, or other forms of ongoing training and
mentorship.
Graduate schemes typically offer
their employees comparatively lucrative salaries. New graduates may earn an
average of £25K, an amount that will likely rise with experience. Along with a
respectable salary, many graduate schemes offer a range of perks to graduates
from- holiday allowances to private medical insurance. For example, Aldi's
Graduate Area Manager program offers graduates a package that includes an Audi
A4 or a BMW 3 series.
Graduate schemes usually last
between one to three years. As long as you work well and do not break the
rules, this means a reasonable degree of job security. Furthermore, the
structure of the schemes means you'll become experienced and qualified enough
to pursue even more advanced opportunities at the end of your contract if you
so choose.
Graduate schemes are offered across many careers and job
sectors so you have many options when it comes to picking an employer. A few
fields and employers that offer graduate schemes include:
Where can I find more information on
Employer programs?
If you are interested in working for a particular company, you can visit their
website and engage with their recruiting team. You may also follow their social
media on popular channels like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. By engaging the
recruiter, you stand in a better position to understand the ideas, culture and
values of the company. Furthermore, students can attend career fairs while
still at university and communicate with students who have chosen a career with
the company and find out about the work ethics in the company.
Eligibility and Requirements
In many cases, you'll be able to apply for graduate schemes from the end of
your second year onwards. Ideally, you should apply during the first term of
your final year after conducting your employer research. While deadlines for
application are usually set for November-December, a large number of employers
have 'ongoing' recruitment processes.
This means that they take applications
all year round. However, you are advised to apply early because more often than
not, these employers close their scheme as soon as their vacancies are filled.
On the Other hand, many employers
give closing dates and also state that they will close their recruitment
process as soon as they've filled up their vacancies. For success in
recruitments, you are advised to read up on the application and interview
methods used by employers. In cases where large recruitments are conducted,
employers use online application systems to sort prospective candidates for the
various training opportunities. If your application is successful, you may then
be invited to an interview.
For most students, the pathway to a
profitable career is a graduate scheme right after graduation. Graduate schemes
with the best companies in the UK are every competitive, however, and simply
have good grades is often not enough.
To successfully get through a
graduate scheme, you will need to pass through a series of steps, from creating
a C.V to attending an assessment centre, and subsequent interviews. If this
sounds overwhelming, that is because it actually is for many people. With our
expert guidance, however, you will be in a much better position to land the
graduate scheme of your choice.
Would you like to get started now?
Talk to us, and we would be delighted to get the process started.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to create a course?