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Anyone know much about these? Are they aimed squarely at 21 year olds straight out of university, or do they take older guys too? I'm thinking of this sort of thing:
[url= http://targetjobs.co.uk/employer-hubs/rolls-royce-plc/325465-purchasing-graduate-development-programme ]link[/url]
I only ask as i may well have a career change coming up in the medium-term future. I'm 25 and unqualified at the minute, however i have the opportunity on getting a BSc in 12 months for very little cost. Unfortunately, i'd almost certainly take a pay cut if i did change jobs, but i hope to minimise it obviously.
Your experience would be very much appreciated!
No reason you cannot apply once you have your degree, in fact your additional real world experience could be an advantage. They're difficult to get on these days, you'll basically need a 1st or 2i. As for taking a pay cut you need to look at it over a longer period, say 5yrs plus an take into account whether the degree and graduate programme will put you in a better place taking into account more factors than just pay
It's bound to vary between companies - to be eligible for the graduate scheme where I used to work it had to be your first (proper) job since graduating. Age didn't matter (and it's probably illegal these days). And if you weren't eligible for the scheme you could still get the job anyway, just without the scheme benefits.
If you're getting a BSc at 28 or 29 it's not really a great deal older than grads that have done year outs, 4 year courses, postgrad degrees, etc. So I wouldn't worry and just go for it - and if you can get a summer placement or similar, it'll definitely help come the time to get a job.
a 25 year old with real world experience who's just graduated is more employable than a 21 year old who's been on the piss for three years. Companies expect to have to spend time teaching discipline to graduates before they produce anything.
As above. I don't think 25 is too old for graduate programs. I joined one company straight from uni but quit after 2 years and joined another. Having real world experience was an advantage.
Talk to the company.
But no it is not too old. I switched jobs at 25 and went from one graduate job to another.
They are hard to get on to though, especially one like that. You'll be looking at 750+applicants for the job. Real work experience may help you get through the first rounds of interview.
Thanks for the input, chaps. Certainly looks like a viable option, then.
That link above is just an example of the sort of thing that five minutes of Googling revealed. A lot of them seem to pay £25k-£28k, so should be manageable financially (although i do appreciate Jimbalaya's comments above, about short term pay).
To clarify, i left school with nothing and joined the RAF working in logistics. I love my job, and get paid more than i have any right too, it's getting to be too much stress on the family, so i'm playing the long game.
[i]To clarify, i left school with nothing and joined the RAF working in logistics. I love my job, and get paid more than i have any right too, it's getting to be too much stress on the family, so i'm playing the long game[/i]
I'd be careful moving from the RAF to the private sector, if you think that it's too 'stressful'...
I came straight out of uni (Leeds - Aerospace)at 28 and applied to BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Airbus for each of their graduate schemes, I was offered a place on all of them. You're not too old.
[edit] Jonba's bang on, there were 13000+ applicants for the 63 available positions at BAE in 2010.
I'd be careful moving from the RAF to the private sector, if you think that it's too 'stressful'...
I don't think the RAF is too stressful for me - i love what i do. However, it does cause a lot of stress for my family. Let me explain:
I am expected to move every couple of years. So every time my wife will be looking for a new job; my children start new schools; we move to a new house.... Also, how is my family supposed to make childcare arrangements if i can't guarantee whether i'll be at home that evening or not?
I appreciate your comments, but this isn't a rash decision based on a bad day at work...
Would it not be illegal for a company to deem you 'to old' for a graduate scheme!?
I work for one of the companies daffy has mentioned, and we have taken on apprentices who are in there mid to late 20's. We were clearly told by HR during the recruitment process to disregard pre conceived ideas that an apprentice must be a teenager.
My friend started graduate training at ~30 with a PhD under her belt - don't think you're too old!
It's not too old, but, a lot of companies will only consider a fresh graduate. This is daft, frankly, but still worth bearing in mind.
Think the civil service fast track might take older graduates
I was pleasantly surprised to discover this week that 40 somethings can get an apprenticeship.
And one of my previous employers switched from graduate recruitment to apprenticeships due to the attitude of some current graduates. I'd like to think us older graduates should have a fighting chance.
did my grad scheme with most people not on their first job out of uni.
some people well out of uni tbh but retraining.
depends on the degree and field of work imo
Thanks again for the input, chaps.
The degree will be [url= http://dlsg.lincoln.ac.uk/about-wbdl/logistics-management ]this one[/url]. They take prior experience into account, so i'll only be required to do what would otherwise be the last year of a three-year programme.
My grad scheme was mostly people with a few years experience under their belt. I think only 1 was completely fresh from uni. Starting salaries of 25k is pretty good...my grad scheme had salary reviews every 6 months so it went up quick (if you were doing well)