Nationwide increases its Graduate Scheme 2015

Nationwide is set to recruit even more talented graduates this year as it increases its 2015 intake.

The world’s largest building society has upped its graduate intake by more than 160 percent from 38 placements last year to 100 due to start in September 2015.

Furthermore, the Graduate Scheme has been developed to give graduates a broader overview of Nationwide’s business before they specialise in their third and final year on the scheme.

Nationwide’s Graduate Scheme, which won the Post Programme Development award at this year’s Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) Development Awards on 19 March, has so far seen more than 250 graduates start their career with the Society.

Nationwide’s HR director Ann Brown said: “Our scheme offers graduates a great start to their careers. They have the opportunity to get a real insight into the Society and then specialise in the area of their choice. At the heart of Nationwide’s culture is a commitment to do the right thing and we are looking for talented graduates who have this mind-set to join us.”

Jo Bond became a Nationwide graduate in 2013 after completing a sociology and politics degree at Leeds University. She said: “I decided to apply to the Nationwide Graduate Scheme because I didn’t want to be just another number – I wanted to make a difference from day one and Nationwide offered me that opportunity. The training and development is excellent and I’ve been on so many professional development courses. I feel like I have landed on my feet getting onto the Nationwide programme. I think it’s quite different from other big organisations; people around me actually love what they do … and so do I!”

Jo has carried out various six month placements as part of the scheme starting in Human Resources and moving to Customer Operations where she is currently part of the team which looks at how to improve the experience customers have when dealing with Nationwide. She added: “My advice to people looking to join Nationwide’s Graduate Scheme would be to have a can-do attitude and not to worry about knowing everything about the business area they want to go into before starting – a major part of the scheme is the actual development of the person and the overall insight you gain into Nationwide and its great culture. It’s a fun place to work, and you get back what you put in, so it’s great that they encourage graduates to get stuck in from day one – you’re given the opportunity to face challenges and work hard, and in return you’re recognised for doing a good job.”

The 100 graduates are part of Nationwide’s emerging talent programme which will also see 95 apprentices and 50 interns joining the Society this year.

For more information visit www.nationwide-jobs.co.uk/business-areas/graduate-entry-talent

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