The aim of each programme is to source the best and brightest talent to join their expanding business teams and help more young people into employment at a time when securing a job is tough.
John Gray, training and development director at Countrywide Estate Agency, said: “As a major employer with over 10,000 employees across the UK we believe it is important to give young people and existing employees the opportunity to learn and develop the skills they need to flourish in their chosen sectors of employment.
“We want to employ the best talent for our business and introducing these types of programmes is a great way of sourcing and developing the right candidates.”
The Association of Graduate Recruiters has reported the number of graduates competing for each graduate job in 2013 has risen over 50% from 2012 in some sectors with on average 85 applications for each graduate job. The third most popular graduate schemes in the UK are those in the banking and financial services sector with 115 applicants for every graduate job.
Whilst working on the job individuals will have the opportunity to learn a range of skills and knowledge from the most basic of tasks to management skills and legislation.
Graduates will spend time working in different roles and in different locations so they can gain experience of working in different housing market conditions and understand the business from the inside out.
Training and development teams will work with each candidate to help them achieve their full potential.
The schemes are also open to existing employees to help them climb the career ladder and learn new skills.
Paul Cutbill, head of professional development at Countrywide Surveying Services, said: “We have doubled the intake of graduates onto our programme in 2013 and are delighted to welcome aboard our newest candidates. Each of Countrywide’s graduate programmes has proven very popular with multiple graduates applying for each position.
As a group we are looking to expand the graduate and fast track management programmes by running further programmes this year and in 2014.
Bruce Evans, managing director for London and New Starts, Countrywide Residential Lettings, said: “Creating opportunities for young, talented and ambitious people is closely aligned with our expansion and growth strategy.
“Through our graduate programmes driven and enthusiastic graduates can bring fresh new ideas to the table whilst having the opportunity to develop key skills.”
