Jashan Daniel

I had decided that I wanted to do a graduate programme with a large organisation as I felt that this would give me the best opportunities and training. I had resigned myself to compromising my personal ethics for a couple of years while doing this. When I found out about The Co-operative Group’s graduate programme, I realised that I didn’t have to compromise at all; with them I would gain excellent commercial exposure, receive top-level training and it would all be underpinned by their unwavering ethical stance.

The finance programme is designed around the three-years’ practical experience that is required to become CIMA qualified. As such, it is split into four 9 months placements that will be designed to ensure that all the experience requirements are met. I’m just coming to the end of my placement in Food Retail and I’m about to move to Funeralcare. After that I will do a placement in Corporate, and then I’ll choose my final placement with a view to getting a permanent role in that area.

As part of the finance programme, I study for the CIMA qualification. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it as it’s a fantastic qualification to have. At the moment I get four days’ study leave per subject, and that will go up to five for the final stages of the qualification. I can use the time however I deem appropriate; as day release from work to do the lessons; as structured revision at the college I go to; or as revision time before my exams.

What has impressed me the most is the support in place to help graduates achieve their career goals. The programme is designed to prepare you for the challenges you’ll face as a future leader and it really helped me to develop. There is a structured management development programme, and individual learning reviews that are really testing. We receive support from a senior mentor and a buddy, and we each have an ongoing personal development plan. It doesn’t matter which programme you choose, everyone enjoys fantastic support and has the opportunity to study for a postgraduate qualification.

The Co-operative Group is a fascinating mix of businesses at the heart of the co-operative movement in the UK. It’s also part of a worldwide movement that demonstrates a viable alternative to the Plc structure. I feel proud to be part of that movement, and that is what makes working at The Co-operative Group so special.