European Graduate Programme
The two-year European Graduate Programme (EGP) combines hands-on experience with classroom training.
Contact: Elke Thamm
Email: elke.thamm@wolseley.com
Wolseley is not currently recruiting for the European Graduate Programme. If you would like to be considered for the EGP in the future, please send your contact details to elke.thamm@wolseley.com.
The EGP focuses on the business skills required to help Wolseley operate as a pan-European company. We are passionate believers in the value of cross-cultural experience. As Wolseley continues to move into new territories, so the opportunities for flexible, talented and multilingual managers will grow.
The EGP is a two-year European programme, with one foot firmly in the UK and the other in continental Europe. You'll be based in our businesses across Europe, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable business experience and to make the most of your language skills and international outlook.
This is how it operates:
- Eight months in the United Kingdom
- Eight months in continental Europe
- Eight months working on a project
In the UK, the main focus will be on experience in branch operations, sourcing, supply chain and logistics. Much of the time you'll be in a t-shirt and trainers or steel toe-capped boots – meeting customers, visiting suppliers, moving product and generally getting to grips with the business. Through hands-on experience and activity-based training, you'll learn about products, mechanical handling, counter sales, the call centre, distribution, contracts, estimating and a lot more. This practical experience will be backed by classroom training sessions, which include product knowledge, project management, presentation skills, time management and cultural awareness.
In continental Europe, the focus will shift to the areas of sales, marketing and branch operations. Again, this will be hands-on experience supported by classroom sessions. The practical side of the programme will include work in areas such as internal and external sales, showroom sales, branch management and operations management. Classroom modules cover subjects including sales leadership, marketing approach to customer management, managing a profit centre, managing people and teams, recruitment, the shift from internal to external selling and negotiation skills.
Eight months working on a project in either:
Functional and corporate areas, where you'll learn about central office functions such as finance, human resources, purchasing, marketing and more. These are the areas of our business that keep the wheels turning throughout the company or a specific area of the business that reflects your skills and ambitions. We'll work closely with you to make sure this part of the programme meets both your and our objectives. It could be anything from sales or logistics to a new IT project.
Wolseley UK
A two-year programme that operates across all UK brands, and opens up a wide range of opportunities in many different aspects of the UK business.
Contact: Elke Thamm
Email: elke.thamm@wolseley.com
Wolseley is not currently recruiting for the Wolseley UK Graduate Programme. If you would like to be considered for the Wolseley UK Graduate Programme in the future, please send your contact details to elke.thamm@wolseley.com
Wolseley UK recruits external candidates of graduate calibre and combines them with quality staff from within the company. The graduate programme operates across all UK brands, and opens up a wide range of opportunities in many different aspects of the UK business.
Throughout the two year programme you'll be based in an area to maximise your experience of all types of branches. Training will include classroom sessions as well as practical experience of the operational side of the business. Your knowledge and experience of customers and products as well as company systems and procedures will be used to even greater effect. Together with sales and management training we'll expand and develop your individual and team skills.
Although the programme is structured we'll take into account previous experience and courses attended. You'll need to have flexibility to move around allocated branches and be able to demonstrate drive, ambition and individual and team skills.
In addition to the hands-on training, the programme will involve attending courses to acquire and demonstrate sales techniques, people management skills, product knowledge and internal company systems and procedures.
Examples of first-year training courses:
- Customers
- IT/Software
- Product Knowledge
- Project Management
- Sales Skills
- Systems and Processes
Examples of second-year training courses:
- Branch Operations
- Business Simulation
- Management and Leadership Skills
- Supervisory
The opportunities for career development created through the graduate programme are considerable. As the business expands, the pressure to provide suitable intellectual capital intensifies. Not only is there a need to manage our trading outlets, but there are also considerable opportunities in sales management, field support roles and corporate office functions.
The diversity of opportunity is demonstrated by the following list of careers that former management trainees now enjoy:
- Assistant Branch Manager
- Assistant Marketing Manager
- Balanced Scorecard Supervisor
- Branch Departmental Managers
- Branch Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Commercial Controller
- Contract Terms Supervisor
- Depot Manager
- Key Account Manager
- New Business Development Coordinator
- Project Manager
- Regional Sales Manager
- Space and Range Manager
- Trainer
Wolseley France
A performance-driven environment where successful candidates are able to develop and take advantage of extensive career opportunities.
Contact: Maya Escojido
Email: maya.escojido@wolseley.fr.
Website: http://www.wolseley.fr
We offer experience in logistics, marketing, finance, IT and HR. These programmes include six months working in one of our locations at the end of the study period.
For more experienced candidates, we offer induction programmes to provide a broad introduction to sales and branch management with Wolseley France.
Find out more information about Wolseley France’s programmes.
Ferguson
Ferguson believes in entry-level hiring and promotion from within. More than 90 per cent of Ferguson's branch management came through the training programme.
Contact: Allison Bradlee
Email: allison.bradlee@wolseley.com
Website: http://www.wolseleyna.com/.
Ferguson believes in entry-level hiring and promotion from within. Since 1990, the company's record for retaining trainees during their first year has been between 70 and 75 per cent. That's higher than most Fortune 500 companies.
Ferguson invests a lot of time, effort and other resources in hiring the right people. As a Ferguson associate, you are given considerable personal freedom to chart your own course to success. All career paths begin with an investment of time working in one of our branch locations. No matter which career path you select, confidence and credibility will be gained because of the foundation created by our hands-on training program.
You won't be expected to be an expert when you join. The training programme, beginning in a branch, moves you at your own pace through every phase of the business. This hands-on experience is a critical step in establishing an in-depth understanding of how Ferguson operates and the scope of the company's products.
You'll become acquainted with our products, learn our procedures and develop invaluable contacts and friendships. We want you to have a solid foundation upon which to build and advance. It's the first stop on your career journey through multiple phases of our business.
The more knowledge you acquire, the more confidence and credibility you'll have in interacting with customers and other associates as you progress through your personal career path.
From this beginning, Ferguson's future leaders emerge. We're counting on our new trainees to take Ferguson in new directions and to new heights.
Go to Ferguson's careers homepage
Wolseley Canada
An 18 month programme that gives participants experience of sales and operations while providing them with extensive product knowledge.
Website: http://www.wolseleyinc.ca/careers/overview.htm.
Wolseley Canada aims to train and develop people so that the company can deliver the services that customers require. Through mentoring and guiding you on the Graduate Training Programme, the aim is to create a culture whereby Wolseley Canada delivers on its promises to internal and external customers.
The Graduate Training Programme is an opportunity for recent university graduates of any and all disciplines to learn about the company from the ground up. You’ll be placed through 18 months of training in areas of sales and operations while gaining extensive product knowledge. At the same time as learning about the core business – sales and supply chain – other exciting opportunities to learn are made available. For example, you’ll work in a team on a corporate project led by an experienced leader. This project will allow you to put your individual skills and abilities to work in order to see project results that will impact the company nationwide.
A combination of these and other learning opportunities will give you a healthier understanding of where you fit within the company, creating valuable insight as to where you can begin a fulfilling and successful career within Wolseley.
Find out more in the careers area of the Wolseley Canada website.