FDBusiness.com

Solarsoft recently announced that it continues to buck the economic trend through further expansion and growth, including the launch of a third successive year of its graduate recruitment scheme. Since the scheme was launched in 2010, the company has benefited from attracting six talented graduates into permanent employment at Solarsoft.

The scheme has been purposely designed to provide individuals with a specific role within the company; rather than a graduate programme whereby recruits spend a number of weeks moving around the business ‘trialling’ lots of different departments.

Steven Hargreaves, Group Product Director at Solarsoft comments, “At a time when there are very few opportunities available for graduates to start their careers, we are pleased to be able to offer young people a chance to be involved in a growing and successful business. The structure of the scheme means that we as a business benefit from recruiting highly motivated, intelligent and energetic young people into the company and in return they enjoy challenging and interesting work, coupled with great training in an encouraging and positive environment.”

The scheme operates across three business areas, Software Support & Development, Managed Services (Implementation, Project Management & Consultancy) and Business Support to senior management.

Charlie Saunders, Marketing Graduate at Solarsoft and part of the initial scheme in 2010, explains, “The Solarsoft scheme is great and offers the training and personal development that I was looking for all rolled into a permanent job role. I am currently studying for a Charted Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma at evening class, which Solarsoft are not only funding but supporting study time. Marketing is the area where I believe I am best suited and I feel very lucky to have been given such a great career opportunity.”

“The availability and location of the position with Solarsoft proved ideal for me,” explains Jacob Drummond, a Software Engineer based in York. “Their attractive company philosophy both within the job description and at the interview day itself demonstrated a very attractive working environment, with ample opportunity for growth and career progression.”

David Wylie, Software Engineer and another 2010 graduate, adds “The mentor system that Solarsoft provided was helpful in getting me up to speed and pointing me in the right direction. I also really benefited from having somebody that you can discuss your development with.”

Chris Ballingall, further explains, “When I graduated I was worried that the poor economic climate was resulting in fewer jobs and more applicants. The opportunity to join Solarsoft, complete with the training and experience that will enable me to establish my career, was too good to pass and I am really enjoying my time with the company.” Chris has also just been awarded a Solarsoft Extra Mile Award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the company for providing additional and out of hours support to both internal and external clients over and above his normal remit.

Following its success in 2010, Solarsoft ran another graduate scheme this year, which in September, resulted in the hiring of Rhylan Johnson to the Basingstoke Managed Services team and Richard Catherall who has joined the xVP and New Horizon Development team based in York.

Rhylan Johnson comments on his experiences. “The Solarsoft graduate scheme has been a great way for me to develop the skills I have learned at university and on placement. Support from management has been fantastic, and I am enjoying the varied opportunities that are put my way. Solarsoft is an exciting company to work for. Despite the current economic climate, the business is still growing and I have a great opportunity to play my part in driving the business forward. I am excited at the prospect of continuing my career at Solarsoft.

The Solarsoft Graduate Recruitment Scheme is managed by HotProspects who will be commencing the search for talented graduates in January 2012. This will be followed by an assessment day and interviews. For further information please contact Ryan Gilson at HotProspects at Email: Ryan@hotprospects.org.uk or Tel: 0845 450 5460.

Solarsoft Business Systems supplies modern enterprise software and IT services to manufacturers, distributors and wholesale businesses across North America, Europe and Asia. The company has grown organically and through acquisition since 1986. Over 2,000 companies rely on Solarsoft to bring clarity and efficiency to their daily operations.

Solarsoft delivers systems optimized for specific industries, making them easy to install and easy to use. With features designed by industry experts, Solarsoft products help drive performance in sales, purchasing, finance, inventory and warehouse management, e-commerce and EDI, supply chain logistics and manufacturing resource planning (MRP).