Investing in young people: graduate schemes and early careers

The current environment is challenging for us all, but the COVID-19 pandemic creates a situation that is particularly tough for young people starting out in their careers. With recruitment across many industries greatly reduced and the prospect of a deep recession, young people are more likely to be unemployed or in low-paid, less secure jobs. Yet this generation are the future of our economy, and investing in skills and employability will be key to long-term recovery.

At Standard Life Aberdeen, we believe that now, more than ever, it is important to invest in young people and honour the commitments we have made. That’s why, in September, we will still be welcoming 28 new graduates onto our graduate scheme, into roles across our business. For our interns, who were due to start this Summer, we will honour their placements but defer the start to 2021 to ensure they get the best experience, and so the internship programme can continue to act as a pipeline to our graduate recruitment.

We will also be launching our school and college leaver recruitment campaign later in the year, offering jobs to young people at our Edinburgh and London offices, starting in October. The programme offers a salary which is higher than the real Living Wage, as calculated by the Living Wage Foundation, and access to qualifications and a structured training programme. There is no minimum education qualifications or experience needed. Instead, what counts is enthusiasm, a can-do attitude and a curiosity to learn and be the best you can be. 

Look out for more details about this campaign on our Early Careers pages and social media channels in June.