Support & Training

The aim of your training is to prepare you for a Team Leader role at the end of the programme. Each business area has its own specific training and development opportunities which are relevant to a career in that function. But there are some elements that are generic to all graduate programmes.

Dove Nest Group Training (based in the Lake District)

We have a strong relationship with a company in the Lake District called Dove Nest Group. Together we have created exciting and challenging development events for you.

Leadership Development

Each year you'll take part in a three-day programme involving workshops and discussions. After each module you'll get a personal development plan to take back and discuss with your manager. In the first year, you'll learn about team working. In the second year you'll build up a greater understanding of your own leadership style. And in the third year you'll look at how to implement plans effectively and deal with complexity. It's also a great way to get to know other graduates.

Commercial Awareness

Each year you will also take part in a commercial module. Over the three years you will attend modules to increase your awareness of strategy and provide you with knowledge on how to build a sound business plan, work within tight deadlines and manage a budget.

In your final year you will be involved in a Corporate Social Responsibility project which will push you out of your comfort zone and enable you to gain a greater awareness of yourself.

On-the-job learning

There's no substitute for experience. You'll be working with some of the best people in the business, and it's a great opportunity to learn new approaches and techniques first-hand. You'll be doing a real job with real responsibility - and ultimately that's what will prepare you for a high-level leadership role.

Personal development

Your Line Manager will give you continuous support to help you make the most of your abilities, with regular discussions about where your strengths and weaknesses lie, about your aspirations for the future and about how to apply yourself. But it's up to you to make decisions about your own career and to create opportunities to prove yourself.

Buddies

You'll also have a dedicated personal mentor, or Buddy, to offer advice and guidance on any professional or personal issues you may have. This person will be different from your Line Manager and you'll be able to speak to them in confidence.

Fast track

A very small percentage of the graduates we take on may be selected for our fast track scheme. This means you'll undergo a shorter, more intense version of the graduate programme and will probably move into a senior management role more quickly.

Future development (after the programme)

Once you've completed the graduate programme, you'll undergo a series of assessment days, interviews and presentations, which we call the stepping stones to leadership. If you prove yourself at this stage you'll be moved up to the next level, which is the Team Leader Programme.