New B&Q Graduate Job Programme

B&Q are to roll out a new graduate job programme and will take in 20 graduates in the first year.

The scheme will put university leavers through graduate training jobs in just 2 to 3 years, by which time the graduates could become store managers of a B&Q outlet. The graduates will start out at B&Q on a salary of £25,000 but could be earning up to 40 per cent more by the time they complete the training programme.

The announcement of the new graduate scheme was made by Euan Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of Kingfisher UK & Ireland (parent company of B&Q) yesterday at a meeting with MPs.

Mr Sutherland said that although competition in the graduate job market was tough at the moment, applicants who could prove themselves would receive fast track training so that they would be able to run their own store within a few short years of graduation.

“Here at B&Q people are at the heart of what we do and so we are looking for young talent with bags of enthusiasm and a great attitude to work in our team. We’re continuing to invest in youth talent and improving the skills of young people in a number of different ways including our first ever Youth Board, our Job Done! Schools programme, plus a number of new initiatives which will be launching from next year,” said Mr Sutherland.

B&Q has over 300 outlets in the UK and more than 60 in other countries. In the UK alone, the home improvement retailer provides jobs for over 30,000 people.

Source: E4s.co.uk, Tuesday 11th October 2011