FOR those interested in working in the energy industry in Aberdeen, many of the local graduate programmes can be limited to those with a technical or engineering background.
However, oil & gas logistics company Asco is currently in the midst of recruiting its 2011 crop of graduate talent for a programme that caters for graduates from a full range of academic backgrounds.
Innovatively, the 2011 recruitment process is being managed by Asco’s 2010 graduate intake – an example of just one of the real business projects that the groups’s graduates are tasked with.
The four 2010 graduates, all currently based in Aberdeen, are responsible for everything from advertising to candidate interviews and selection.
Olga Argodyayeva who studied management with human resources at Robert Gordon University, joined the scheme last year and is fully prepared for recruiting the 2011 intake.
She said: “The exposure which Asco’s graduate programme gives us to the business, to its long-term strategy and to the top directors themselves, is fantastic.
“The company believes in investing in its people, but quite rightly it is looking for a return on that investment.
“Giving us such a thorough exposure to the business and entrusting important projects with us, such as the graduate recruitment programme, really demonstrates that they expect us to play an important role in growing the business.”
The 2010 graduates are working on the recruitment phase of this year’s graduate recruitment campaign, gaining new skills in areas such as marketing, PR and presenting.
When applications close on May 13, they will play a lead role in the selection of candidates.
“This time last year I was sitting in a university presentation listening to the 2009 Asco graduates telling me about the Asco programme,” said Argodyayeva.
“Now I’m in the midst of doing the same thing myself and, because of the insight and exposure we’ve had to Asco’s business, we can identify key attributes within potential candidates which we know will fit well within the Asco business.
“Strong leadership, innovation, analytical skills, teamwork and communication skills are essential.
Bill Loch, Asco’s service and organisation development director, is squarely behind the programme.
He said: “We need to invest in talent for the future. People talk about the ‘cost’ of graduates and apprentices. It’s not a cost; it’s an investment in not only their future, but Asco’s future as a service provider.”
Applicants looking to join the Asco scheme should have attained (or be looking to obtain) a minimum 2:1 degree.
For more information on the graduate programme, visit: www.ascoworld.com/careers/ascograduates.aspx