Trio build experience on graduate training scheme

Nov 2 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal

THREE university graduates are aiming for top jobs with Newcastle housing giant Barratts after beating more than 750 applicants to win one of 50 coveted places on its Graduate Recruitment scheme.

Becky White, 27, who studied at Northumbria University, Kate Lister, 23, who spread her studies between Edinburgh University and Northumbria and Jonathan Graham, 24, who graduated from Sheffield Hallam University have all taken up positions working at Barratt Newcastle’s headquarters.

Graduates are given a series of eight week placements in all sections of the business during the first year. Then in the second year they choose a specialist area and were given the opportunity to do voluntary work in the local community or abroad.

The aim is to develop graduates leadership skills so they should be capable of taking key management roles in the future. Each of them started their placements at Barratt Newcastle in their chosen areas, with Becky, who has a degree in Marketing Management in sales, Kate, who graduated with a Business and Marketing degree, based in the technical department, and Jonathan, who has a degree in Urban Land Economics, starting his career path in the land department.

Kate said: “I knew I wanted to work in property and Barratt seemed to offer the best training scheme by far.”

Jonathan said: ““I liked the idea of working through all the departments to get an overview of what everyone else does.

“The mentoring is very good, we get advice when we need it and are left to get on with our own tasks too.”

Barratt Newcastle Managing Director Bernard Rooney said: “Becky, Kate and Jonathan are a very welcome addition to the team. The graduate recruitment programme has been introduced recently to help us find the talent for tomorrow.

“The scheme is easily the biggest of its kind in the industry and will help us to maintain our leading role in the years to come.”