Career development

Graduates

Turning you into tomorrow’s leader

During the two-year graduate programme you’ll be given the structured development to help you become a future leader. It’s a steep learning curve, but you’ll have all the personal support you need to succeed.

On joining BT you will be amongst nearly 200 other graduates who will be attending the induction to the graduate programme delivered in the UK. This will give you the core understanding about the organisation to deliver in your role.

Over the first two years you’ll go through a structured development programme focusing on three key themes: self-management, delivering value, and inspiring others. This training will give you your essential ‘tool kit’ of management skills, and you’ll get the chance to lead your development, and shape your own programme as it goes along.

You’ll get a great insight on global business while you’re working in your role. To develop your skills even further we will encourage you to work collaboratively – for example on peer-supported learning projects as part of the development programme or just by being an active part of Gradnet, the knowledge and social network run by BT graduates from across the organisation.

Your training and development won’t stop when you finish the graduate scheme, either.

Ongoing professional development

Realising your potential is a thread that will run throughout your time at BT, and with mentors and buddies part of your ongoing professional and personal development, we’ll make sure you’re achieving the highest standards.

Our approach to continuous development has earned us the prestigious ‘Investors in People’ accreditation – awarded to organisations offering staff the highest levels of training and potential for personal development.

It means, throughout your career at BT, you’ll have:

A development action plan – devised with your line manager to help you build your strengths and identify areas that need further development
A mentor – someone able to use their experience with BT to support and coach you, and help you realise your ideas and ambitions
Continuous learning opportunities – including tutor-led training, e-learning, on-the-job training and practical experience
Unlimited prospects for career progression – the size and scope of BT means there will always be opportunities available for you to take your career to the next level
More opportunities, as the company grows fast internationally, to work overseas or on projects with international content

Graduate networks

At BT, you’ll get plenty of opportunity to meet other graduates. There will be nearly 400 other graduates on both years of the programme located across four continents, and there are special events where you can socialise with them.

The BT Graduate Alumni Community is a network created to support the continued career progression and development of people previously on the BT Graduate Programme. This is done through networking events, BT Talent Pool events, career planning sessions, coaching and presentation skills workshops, and a monthly newsletter of news and opportunities.

There’s also Gradnet, which is a network run by graduates for graduates and undergraduates that provides you with any help and advice you may need. Gradnet also arranges social events where you can meet other graduates on the programme, and offers information about opportunities within BT.