CCFE’s Graduate Development Programme will enable you to develop both general work-related skills and professional qualifications to excel in your chosen discipline.

The programme ensures that all graduates have access to a mentor with personal responsibility for helping them to develop their career plan and gain the right experience.

We also encourage you to achieve professional accreditation in your individual discipline. Our Graduate Development Programme is accredited by the Institution of Electrical Engineers, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as a professional development scheme. We are currently seeking Institute of Physics accreditation as well.

What does the development programme consist of?
The programme consists of core skills development for all graduates, together with development tailored for the individual. This development will be unique to you but will usually consist of a blend of directed work experience, on-the-job training, networking, corporate development events, external training courses and secondments.

Mentors
The role of the mentor will be critical in your development. A trained mentor will help you to discover more about yourself, your potential and your capability.

What will the mentor do?
• Give you the opportunity, through regular discussion, to look objectively at your performance.
• Provide help in monitoring progress towards gaining professional accreditation.
• Work with your manager in monitoring progress on development plans and discussing ideas for future.
• Support you in tackling projects, discussing problems and solutions – completely confidentially.
• Guide you through our business culture and how things are carried out.
• Offer general advice and assistance.
• Give constructive criticism and plenty of encouragement.

How often should I meet with my mentor?
The frequency of meetings will be agreed between yourself and your mentor. Some graduates make more use of their mentors than others – there are no right or wrong practices, but it is important that the frequency of meetings is appropriate for you.