Northern Foods gives graduates plenty to bite on: Career development tailored to individual needs

Abstract

Purpose

To focus on graduate recruitment at UK food manufacturer Northern Foods.

Design/methodology/approach

Contains information from the company's graduate‐training manager, and from people‐development consultancy Brathay, which whom Northern Foods has been working to develop high‐potential employees through a graduate‐development program.

Findings

Shows that Northern Foods takes only graduates who have work experience. When graduates join the company they are matched up with a trained mentor who can provide professional support and advice to help to build up strategic awareness. Graduates gain hands‐on exposure, supported by structured, yet flexible, training that is designed to provide an introduction to how the business works, and enhance personal and professional development. Focuses on the management‐essentials scheme and the company's graduate‐development program.

Practical implications

Highlights the wide range of challenging manufacturing‐industry careers open to graduates.

Originality/value

Demonstrates that graduates establish a broad base of experience, which supports them throughout their career with Northern Foods.

Citation

(2005), "Northern Foods gives graduates plenty to bite on: Career development tailored to individual needs", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 13 No. 7, pp. 19-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730510627430