Accelerate: Kindred Group’s graduate scheme success story

The beginning of Accelerate can be traced back to October 2017 when I assumed the role of engineering manager at Kindred. The company had just started to accelerate the growth in Kindred Tech, necessitating the recruitment of workforce for our tech division. It soon became evident that the firm had traditionally focused on hiring senior software engineers. This was something I questioned: why we didn’t look for graduates with great potential for growth? The response was rooted in concerns about risk and the time investment required for onboarding.      

Leveraging my prior success with a similar programme at a previous employer, I proposed the establishment of Accelerate to our tech management team and was given the go ahead.   

Clear objectives

What sets Accelerate apart from standard graduate onboarding initiatives? First and foremost, every participant is employed for a specific role within a dedicated team. This ensures clarity regarding their responsibilities and objectives, in stark contrast to conventional trainee programmes where graduates rotate through various departments without a clear endpoint.

Spanning six months, the programme commences with an intensive two-week ‘boot camp’. During this initial phase, our primary focus is on fostering a cohesive, trustworthy team while addressing the psychological challenges associated with entering the professional realm. We understand the pressures and self-doubt that accompany one’s first employment experience, especially in comparison to seasoned team members. Our structured support system creates a safe space for graduates to share their concerns, establishing a sense of camaraderie and normalising their experiences.

Throughout the subsequent six months, participants work within their designated teams on real tasks, effectively engaging in on-the-job training. Each graduate benefits from the guidance of a dedicated mentor and the collective support of their team. Weekly meetings serve as a forum for sharing progress updates, with occasional guest speakers invited from across the organisation to enhance knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.

Beacon of success           

Since the programme started in 2019, with a short break during the pandemic in 2020, we are now running the Accelerate programme for the fourth time. Over this period, 37 graduates have joined Kindred through the programme and a staggering 35 of them remain committed to our mission. These attrition numbers are a testament to Accelerate’s effectiveness. Each participant has assumed an integral role within their respective teams, consistently surpassing the company’s expectations regarding their skills and knowledge enhancement. This year’s graduates have the privilege of being mentored by past programme alumni.

Moreover, Accelerate has served as a catalyst for enhancing diversity within the organisation. In the most recent iteration of the programme, we achieved a commendable 50/50 gender balance, reinforcing our commitment to fostering inclusivity and gender diversity.

In summary, Kindred’s Accelerate programme stands as a beacon of success in the realm of graduate development, setting a benchmark for industry best practices and delivering tangible results. Through this programme, Kindred has not only bolstered its workforce but also empowered graduates with the knowledge, skills and network they need to excel in their professional journeys.

Johan Engberg has been at Kindred Group for over six years. He originally joined as engineering manager before becoming head of tech employee lifecycle in June 2022, charged with ensuring the group provides a world-class experience when it comes to attracting the right talent.

Engberg’s skills lie in technical recruiting, employer branding, training and development, networking and leadership. He is the main driving force behind Accelerate.