Sainsbury’s to boost graduate intake by 30%

Sainsbury’s has boosted the number of graduate jobs available for its 2010 intake by 30% – defying the current economic conditions.

The supermarket giant now has 85 positions available on its graduate programme compared to 65 last year.

Meanwhile, the number of spaces available on the company’s two placement schemes, which are either a year-long or three months over the summer, has tripled to 64.

Jo Gidley, Sainsbury’s graduate recruitment manager, told Personnel Today: “We have an ambitious expansion programme over the next three years so it is vital that we continue to provide a pipeline of talented retail leaders.”

HR director Imelda Walsh added retail was an industry that provides “an unrivalled number of opportunities for an ambitious graduate”.

The retailer operates 13 different schemes on its graduate programme covering areas such as HR, merchandising and buying. Retail is the largest and gives candidates the opportunity to become a deputy store manager in just two years.

Sainsbury’s also revealed it intends to double the amount of places available on the retail scheme. The move, it said, reflects plans to grow its store portfolio by adding 15% new space by 2011.

Meanwhile, successful work placement candidates can go on to be offered a place on the graduate programme.