AkzoNobel

Graduate jobs explained

At AkzoNobel graduates do not join a generic graduate programme, but apply to a specific position within the company. The graduate programme is fairly well established, meaning training and development processes are in place to make graduates get the most out of their role.

In terms of what graduates can expect to experience on the graduate programme, current employees have cited the following:

• Rotational placements in a variety of different sectors
• Some opportunity for overseas placements
• Freedom of how workload is managed
• A variety of residential training courses with fellow graduates
• An innovative working environment
• However, typically long working hours – between eight and ten hours per day

Areas graduates can join

• Customer business development/sales: graduates work in account managing, category management and sales. Graduates on this scheme also have a placement in marketing.
• Engineering for manufacturing: graduates work in manufacturing operations or supply chain projects. They will work closely with specialists to work out the most effective ways of introducing new products to customers.
• Finance: graduates undertake a series of placements and may have the opportunity to work at different sites across Europe. There may also be the opportunity for graduates to get specialist qualifications whilst working in this function.
• HR: graduates are responsible for employee training and development, employment law advice and offering guidance on remuneration and benefits.
• Information technology: graduates implement and improving IT processes, and could be designing, developing, and maintaining systems.
• Marketing: graduates help organise product launches, respond to market research and liaise with advertising agencies.
• Purchasing: most graduates will either go into buying or project management. Responsibility will vary from buying raw materials to managing commercial deals.
• Research & development: graduates can choose to work in a management or technical capacity. Day-to-day tasks include: improving and developing products, working with suppliers and researching competitors’ products.
• Supply chain: graduates will be dealing with tasks such as procurement, planning and manufacturing, and logistics. Graduates rotate for several months in different placements. There is also the opportunity to work at different centres in Europe during graduates’ first two years in supply chain.

There are different requirements in terms of degree discipline and experience depending on which roles graduates apply to. Full details are in individual job descriptions.

Work experience explained

AkzoNobel offers industrial placements and summer internships. The application process for these programmes is typically made up of a one hour telephone interview and a half-day assessment centre.

Students and undergraduates who do work placements with AkzoNobel will not automatically be offered a graduate job with the company, but if they show potential they may be recommended to the recruitment team by their line or HR manager. They will usually still have to go through interviews and assessments as per other applicants.

Industrial placements

• Last between six months and one year
• Open to students studying for technical or business related degrees who are expecting to obtain a minimum 2.1
• Typically paid £300 per week
• Could be based anywhere in the UK
• Applicants must have at least 280 UCAS points

Summer internships

• Last around 12 weeks
• Usually begin in July
• Applicants must have at least 280 UCAS points
• Placements could be in business development and sales, marketing, research and development, engineering, HR, IT, purchasing, supply chain or finance.
• Could be based anywhere in the UK
• Typically paid £300 per week

Training and development

AkzoNobel has a training and development process in place that has four main aims. In its own words:

• ‘To foster a sense of belonging to the wider AkzoNobel business’
• ‘To provide structured development and help you understand the importance of our company values in your performance’
• ‘To let you learn from experienced people and enhance your business knowledge’
• ‘To help you build a broad network of contacts across the company’

Assessing progress

AkzoNobel use a program called the performance and development dialog to assess its employees’ performance and help them to improve. Graduates work with their managers to agree performance objectives for the year ahead and then have a mid-year review and end- of-year assessment.