September 2024 – Unipart has launched its new graduate programme, welcoming 13 talented young people into the business across multiple disciplines. These include electronic and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, supply chain engineering, software engineering, and data science.
Over the next 18 months, the graduates will rotate through three different placements, each lasting six months. These placements will span various divisions within the company, providing the graduates with a holistic understanding of Unipart’s operations.
Placements will include working in the rail sector at Unipart’s sites in Doncaster and Crewe, for Unipart’s performance improvement technologies companies Instrumentel, MetLase and Park Signalling, Unipart’s manufacturing site in Coventry, and Unipart’s supply chain operations in Cowley and Nuneaton.
Each rotation will be supported by a tailored development plan, ensuring each graduate’s personal and professional development is maximised.
By the end of their programme, each graduate will be well-prepared to transition into a permanent role within Unipart, bringing a well-rounded skill set and a deep understanding of adding the most value for customers, delivered using The Unipart Way.
Darren Leigh, Unipart Chief Executive, said: “We are thrilled to welcome such a diverse group of graduates, each bringing their own set of unique skills and perspectives.
“It was great to meet each of the graduates at the Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering facility in Coventry, where I had the opportunity to share key insights into Unipart’s strategic vision and the pivotal role they will play in shaping its future.
“In order to meet the challenges of our industry we must bridge the skills gaps in our sectors. Having been an apprentice, I understand how powerful the right opportunity can be for a young person, so I look forward to supporting our new graduates every step of the way as they transform into future Unipart leaders.”
Ashley Lidgate, Unipart Early Careers Development Manager, said: “It’s a privilege to be leading the graduate programme and supporting this talented group as they begin their journey with Unipart. This programme is an essential part of our future, as it not only invests in the development of our next generation of colleagues, but also ensures that we continue to grow and evolve as a business.
“By providing these graduates with a diverse and holistic experience across our divisions, we are setting them up for success, while also strengthening Unipart’s future capabilities.”
This graduate programme builds on Unipart’s current work to provide key skills to colleagues, through its more than 120 apprenticeships in disciplines ranging from accountancy, to HR, to product design.