What is a graduate scheme?
Graduate schemes are a structured training program run by employers to develop future leaders within their organisations. These programmes typically last between one and two years, though some may extend longer. Graduate schemes offer various specialisms, or streams, like finance, retail, marketing, HR, management, and law. While some employers focus on recent graduates, others welcome anyone with a degree.
These schemes might focus on specific roles or offer rotating placements across different business functions, teams, and possibly locations, requiring flexibility. As a graduate trainee, you'll be entrusted with responsibility from the start, gaining hands-on experience and a broad understanding of your chosen field. You'll also receive support to build key skills.
These programmes are highly sought after each year, especially those offered by prestigious companies in major industries. So, it's vital to ensure your application makes a lasting impression.
While some companies recruit year-round, many graduate schemes open for applications in the summer with deadlines between September and November. It’s a good idea to apply as early as possible, as some organisations fill places on an ongoing basis and close once they're full. The larger the organisation, the earlier the application deadlines are likely to be.
For more information you can visit TargetJobs on graduate schemes or if you would like to discuss whether a training scheme may be right for you, you can book an appointment to discuss this with an adviser from your college team.