Future Leaders Graduate Scheme Review

My role is part of an ongoing structured scheme, which has involved taking part in multiple rotational placements. This has led to different opportunities within project management teams, and involved working on budgets, project planning, communications strategies and any other tasks which would help out the respective teams I'm working within.

Since taking part, I have learnt a variety of new skills which have well equipped me. Budget responsibility and experience has been a major skill which I had not been able to take part in before, whilst opportunities for leadership, people management and project ownership have also set me up well for the future.

I have enjoyed the programme very much, and looking back on the decision to accept, I'm very happy with my choice. The diversity of experiences on the programme, along with many outside-placement opportunities to get involved with has provided me with a rich skillset which I can bring to future roles.

The programme has been well structured, allowing for a good split of time between the learning component and the placement element. A key element has been the diversity in placements themselves, and being in different parts of the business, which has provided very well-rounded experiences of working within the company.

I have recieved a lot of support from my company from the start of the programme. To begin, there was a thorough training programme to understand the business and to meet senior leaders, whilst throughout the rest of the programme, there are regular developmental conversations, training sessions and goal setting which provides good overall structure to the support available.

I have recieved a good level of support when working towards my qualifications. Managers have been supportive of the programme, and tailored meetings and projects to react to the qualification subject matter. Colleagues as well have been very useful, taking time to have meetings to explore how the material relates to their role, providing their own points of view on how the material relates to the company.

I've been very satisfied with the qualification, and feel it relates well to my everyday role. In particular, the financial element has been very useful, and allowed me to take a more proactive role in financial decision-making, whilst course content on people strategy has helped me to tailor my approach to people-management as this has become part of my role.

Covid has of course affected the ability to meet and interact, but beforehand, there were many opportunities to get involved in this way. The company's charity output allowed for ways to meet new people through fundraising activities, and I both took part in existing fundraising events, and set up my own. I was also part of a mentoring scheme to support those interested in applying, and to help them with their own work journey.

Yes

I have really enjoyed the scheme, and view it as well-run, development focussed, and where the placements on offer and run by managers who are ready to tailor them in order to match goals. Along with the learning element which has practically related my work, I would be very happy to recommend the scheme, and am very glad I took part in it.

It would be very useful to research the industry in-depth, and to understand the issues facing it, along with competitors and opportunities for growth in the future. The industry is one which has frequent innovative change, and showing a mindset for this would be useful to know in advance of applying.