Bank graduates start first day of work

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has launched its inaugural Graduate Development Program, with four university graduates starting their new roles at the Bank today.

The Bank's Head of People and Performance, Mark Schultz, said the two year program aims to give the graduates experience in various aspects of banking and finance, while enabling the Bank to develop young talent internally.

The program has proven very popular, with 286 graduates from right across Australia vying to participate in the program.

"It was great to see so many young, talented and enthusiastic people wanting to work for our Bank and after a vigorous selection process, we chose Terri Harding, Ben Wilson, Jake Childs and Brad Muzzell to join our team," Mr Schultz said.

The graduates will be based at the Bank's two major offices in Bendigo and Adelaide, with University of Queensland Commerce graduate, Ben Wilson, relocating from Brisbane to Adelaide to take up the opportunity.

"When I saw this program I was really excited and knew it was exactly what I wanted to do," Ben said.

"I look forward to launching my career in a new city and long-term I aspire to securing a management role at the Bank."

University of South Australia Marketing graduate, Terri Harding from Brompton in Adelaide will also join Ben, at the South Australian Head Office.

"For me, the graduate program was far more attractive than applying and competing for a standard full-time position against people with industry experience," Terri said.

"A graduate program provides a valuable opportunity for fresh graduates to learn directly from industry professionals, which is an asset unique to the program that furthermore sets it aside and above the rest."

La Trobe University Business graduate, Jake Childs, who lives in Rochester, a small farming community about 70 kilometres north of Bendigo is also thrilled about the opportunity.

"Recently the Bank joined with my local community to establish a Community Bank® branch and I've grown up in Central Victoria, so I've seen all the good things the Bank does for the community," Jake said.

"I look forward to getting involved and being a part of an organisation I admire."

Another La Trobe University Business graduate, Brad Muzzell, from Bentleigh in Melbourne will also move to Bendigo to take part in the program.

"I'm going into this very open-minded," Brad said.

"This is a great opportunity to experience all of the different sections, see what I like and what I'm good at, and then focus on a specific area from there."

Mr Schultz said the program has been designed to provide graduates with relevant work experience that will develop their skills and understanding across a broad range of roles.

"The graduates will work with, and learn from, our people in the Retail, Risk, Finance and Wealth divisions and spend six months in each area.

"At the end of their two years with us, we hope the graduates will have developed core technical skills and competencies which will prepare them for a wide range of roles in the organisation.

"This experience should give their careers a boost early on."