Willis Expands Global Graduate Program after China Success

Willis Group Holdings will expand its global graduate program in 2008, following the program’s “huge success” in China. The number of places available to students has risen from 14 in 2007 to 20 in 2008, which has led to a planned expansion of the program to other high growth markets for the first time next year.

Willis explained that its “graduate program operates across numerous territories, including the UK, in both the London and Ipswich sites, and the US. The number of graduates recruited in the US has doubled, from 10 candidates joining Willis in 2007 to 20 next year. As business in high growth markets expands, so has the global graduate program, and in 2008 students have been recruited for India, Russia, South Africa, Poland, the Czech Republic and Dubai.”

The program offers graduates “on-the-job training in specialist areas and supplementary training from human resources in Client Advocacy, sales and presentation skills, which represent just some of the differentiators of the program,” said the bulletin. “Part of the appeal of the scheme is also the opportunity graduates have to work in teams across the business on strategic initiatives, so gaining valuable insight into the workings of the company and building up their project management skills. These are important aspects of the program as they form part of the long-term development of the future leaders of the company.”

Willis Chairman and CEO Joe Plumeri commented: “Our aim is to deliver a world class graduate recruitment and development program,” said, “This will ensure the success of the leadership of tomorrow and also position Willis as the Employer of Choice.”

Josie Mula, Global Head, Graduate Recruitment and Development, added that the “success of the graduate program has led to an overwhelming demand from students, so we are delighted to be increasing the number of places available in 2008.”

Source: Willis – www.willis.com.