AS CLOSING dates loom, there are good reasons to apply for a place on a graduate training programme:
1. Career progression. If you’re wondering where you’ll be in five years’ time a structured graduate programme will appeal, says Carl Gilleard, the chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters. “There is a degree of certainty.”
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2. Professional qualifications. Graduate employers usually pay for you to gain a professional qualification and often offer support and study leave to help you to pass comfortably too.
3. Personal development. “There is a strong emphasis on personal development — encouraging people to manage their own . . . development, which is important in times of constant change and uncertainty,” Gilleard says.
4. Fast track to the top. “Graduates are given a high level of responsibility and work their way up at an accelerated pace,” says Terry Jones, a spokesman for the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services. “Employers get ‘speed to value’ from these programmes which means that graduates are fast tracked to make a significant contribution to the business,” Gilleard says.
5. Breadth of experience. Some programmes give graduates the chance to work across several functions. This gives them a chance to experience different careers before specialising.
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6. Mentoring. “Mentoring is commonplace on these programmes,” Gilleard says. Advice from an experienced manager can give you a leg up the career ladder.
7. Friends and networks. “You join the scheme with other graduates in a collegiate environment which is fun, supportive and the beginning of an ongoing professional network,” Jones says.
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8. International travel. Many programmes are run by multinational companies with far-flung branches.
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9. Money, money, money. “Graduate programmes tend to be run by the big firms and they pay the best,” Jones says. The average starting salary on a Times Top 100 graduate scheme this year is £23,800.
10. Status. The programmes pride themselves on selecting the top talent— gaining a place gives your CV kudos.
The next National Graduate Recruitment Exhibition is in Manchester Feb 7-8. See www.gradjobs.co.uk for details