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ASCO GRADUATES ON THE RECRUIT FOR 2011

For those interested in working in the energy industry, many graduate programmes can be limited to those with a technical or engineering background. However, leading oil and gas logistics company, ASCO is currently in the midst of recruiting its 2011 crop of graduate talent for a programme which caters for graduates from a range of academic backgrounds.

Innovatively, the 2011 recruitment process is being managed by ASCO’s 2010 graduate intake -  an example of just one of the real business projects that ASCO graduates are tasked with. The four 2010 graduates, all currently based in Aberdeen, UK, are responsible for everything from advertising to candidate interviews and selection.

2010 graduate, Olga Argodyayeva who studied Management with HR at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University, joined the ASCO scheme last year and has learned plenty to prepare her for the challenge of recruiting the 2011 intake.

“The exposure which ASCO’s graduate programme gives us to the business, to its long term strategy and to the top directors themselves, is fantastic. ASCO believes in investing in its people but quite rightly it is looking for return in that investment. Giving us such a thorough exposure to the business and entrusting important projects with us, such as the graduate recruitment programme, really demonstrates that they expect us to play an important role in growing the business. We’re not just given your typical ‘low-risk’ tasks and projects. These projects have real business impact. What a fantastic opportunity that is for someone straight out of university.”

“Of course, we’re not completely left to our own devices!  An important element of the scheme is that we are all assigned a business mentor as well as a bespoke learning and development plan. Business leaders will also supervise the projects we’re working on, providing advice and making sure we’re on the right track, without stifling our creativity. Company-supported further education and training is another important element of the programme.”

“Effectively, we are on a fast track to be ASCO’s business leaders of tomorrow, much more quickly than we could elsewhere I think. There are members of the Senior Management team within ASCO who started here as Graduates. That’s a source of huge inspiration for us and is something that really attracted me to ASCO in the first place.”

The 2010 graduates are currently working on the recruitment phase of this year’s graduate recruitment campaign gaining new skills in areas such as marketing, PR and presentation skills. When applications close on 13^th May, they will then play a lead role in the selection and assessment of candidates.

Olga continues,

“This time last year I was sitting in a university presentation listening to the 2009 ASCO graduates telling me about the ASCO programme. Now I’m in the midst of doing the same thing myself and because of the insight and exposure we’ve had to ASCO’s business, we can identify key attributes within potential candidates which we know will fit well within the ASCO business.”

“Strong leadership, innovation, analytical, teamwork and communication skills are essential. We’re also looking for candidates to show a real enthusiasm and interest in the business, to do their homework and be able to demonstrate that in their application.”

ASCO’s persistent belief that building a strong future demands an investment in people is evidence that even in a competitive job market, exciting opportunities to take the first step up the career ladder do exist. This is a view strongly supported by ASCO’s Senior Management.

Bill Loch, ASCO’s Service and Organisation Development Director, adds,

“We need to invest in talent for the future – and that’s a key word, investment. People talk about the ‘cost’ of graduates and apprentices. It’s not a cost, it’s an investment in not only their future, but ASCO’s future as a service provider.”

ASCO is the world’s leading Oil & Gas logistics company with bases in Australia, Canada, the Caspian, India, the Middle East, Norway, Singapore, Trinidad, the UK and the US. Globally, the company employs over 1,500 people.

Applicants looking to join the graduate scheme should have attained (or be looking to obtain) a minimum 2.1 degree. More information on ASCO’s 2011 graduate programme can be found on its website www.ascoworld.com/careers/ascograduates.aspx

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