These are just two of the questions our talented graduates need to ask themselves before joining the challenging two-year BDR Thermea Group International Graduate Programme. Each year we select a small group of graduates from around the world, to help us future-proof our company in the rapidly-changing world of the energy transition.
“The purpose of the programme is to attract and retain talented graduates from various disciplines and gain their fresh insights and views, so we can put them to use at all levels across our company,” says Fedde de Waal, who oversees the programme.
Strategic projects
The first year of the graduate programme contains four different individual project assignments to add value to the business, explore various opportunities in the department and to learn on the job. The graduates spend time on rotations between head office to learn about international business and local units in the Netherlands, France, Italy and China, where they are supervised by local management and colleagues.
The graduates also work together on a group project of strategic relevance. For example, one group did a joint assignment on district heating, working to define a common approach to the role BDR Thermea could play in heat interface units as well as the related heat sources. After 12 months of hard work, they presented their findings and suggested solutions to the Management Board.
Training is provided throughout the Programme, making use of our academies. Graduates are trained in areas such as new product development, project management and change management. They also receive personal coaching and the opportunity to consult a mentor.
Freedom to grow
Bulgarian-born graduate Martin Sofroniev highlights how much he enjoyed the international, collaborative aspects of the graduate programme. “It felt very special; it’s really a unique opportunity within the company. There’s so much to do and learn,” he says.
The programme is gradually being expanded, in terms both of numbers and of working areas. When we launched it in 2017, we began by seeking graduates for Research & Development. Now, it covers research & development; procurement; quality; health, safety & environment; IT; and marketing.
