Training on graduate scheme

[ellanorfu]

What is training usually like when someone takes a graduate scheme?

How are the new graduates taught about the business and the industry?

I don't think there is a single approach. Some will rotate around placements on relevant teams, others as junior role in a department/project. Much depends on the career path and whether further professional study is required.

Companies usually have an info session to explain their graduate schemes (sometimes only for those thru to later rounds of recruitment). Worth checking whether you might need to change office location for certain rotations and how much they take your location preferences into account. Also one of mine did a scheme where only 1 in 4 got kept on after 2 years so worth knowing in advance.

But what is the training exactly? In person work shops where they are taught about the business and technicals?

I genuinely don't know

A lot is virtual or outsourced for professional qualifications with on the job evidence.

Depends on the sector. My son is coming to the end of his training as a chartered accountant. Training comprises:
internal training sessions eg new procedures at work
completion of practical training /on the job training
professional exams with pre exam course, revision courses and study leave

One of my DC did a retail graduate scheme, so started on shop floor/warehouse, some time on tills etc, some time shadowing shop manager, acting as stand in manager, time in head office in various departments ( property, finance, supply chain etc). Then into management after 2 years.

A lot of it will be actual work, and it may just be this if there aren’t any professional qualifications at the end of it. You start doing easy stuff under supervision and work up as your knowledge and experience increases.

Solicitors - involves the firm paying for one year (or two years if no LLB) of full time professional studies and exams and then you work for 2 years in a law firm as a trainee solicitor usually working full time (often very long hours 9am to 9pm even) spending 6 months in four different areas of law/departments and then you qualify. During the training contract you are trained through doing the work under supervision. There will also be lots and lots of internal training sessions, lectures internally.

Accountants - not my field but my son's friend did this - he went straight into the big accountancy firm after graduation and has spent the last 3 years doing accountancy and also doing professional exams and courses for the ICAEW exams you must pass. So it is a mixture of work (mostly work) and some study leave and exams.

Other schemes - hugely variable. Usually there will be some on the job training and possibly post grad exams. Sometimes you basically just start the job in a commercial company and work your way up over the years. Most UK big companies have generally continuing education and courses throughout careers. Eg I used to go into all kinds of UK companies to give day courses on things like contract law and anyone in that department could sign up and attend whether a new graduate or someone who had been working for years.