Transforming a graduate programme for a global leader in aerospace to deliver multi-format learning experiences to inspire and delight over 450 participants over three years
Transforming a graduate programme for a global leader in aerospace to deliver multi-format learning experiences to inspire and delight over 450 participants over three years
Context & challenges
The L&D agency within a global aerospace company engaged us to transform their graduate offering into a cohesive, catalytic programme.
With an initial cohort of 65 graduates expecting an in-person development week on short notice, urgency was paramount. Not only did we need to get the show on the road in a short time frame, but also shape a learning experience linked to company’s values, day-to-day behaviours, and leadership model.
Then the kicker. Year One looked like 65 graduates. Yet, Year Two intake would see 250 start the programme. Year Three would be a similar intake.
A significant part of the challenge was to deliver an engaging, yet scalable experience—designed for future cohorts of 250 or more—that combined innovative themes, immersive activities, and robust content to form impactful professional development.
Solution
Within weeks, we had collaboratively designed a graduate programme integrating engaging in-person and virtual learning experiences.
Every topic linked to the company’s long-standing leadership model, ensuring real-world relevance. The programme had a modular format to ensure scalability, and offered multiple delivery formats to support development over two years:
- In-person development weeks
- Virtual kick-offs
- Virtual conferences
- Business calls
- Interactive workshops
- Connectivity groups
Named ‘FutureFuel’, the dual programmes combined hands-on learning, digital simulations, eLearning and coaching.
Core themes were Digitisation, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability, whilst 15 workshops were designed to meet every skill gap directly.
The two key development weeks were given two meaningful themes:
CLIMB
The first development week just months in to the programme, ‘CLIMB’, was designed to inspire the ambition to scale the peaks of a career, with an immersive group project through the week with the challenge to present ideas and strategy towards achieving a real organisational goal for the company. Senior business leaders brought keynote speeches to inspire.
SPACE
The second development week, ‘SPACE’, took place at the tail end of the programme. It fostered reflection and an encouragement to set a goal to achieve something ‘out of this world’. Masterclasses introduced key skills with space to test putting skills into practice as small groups competed against each other. Again, relevant keynote speakers and exciting activities completed an exciting schedule.
Results
The programme received highly positive feedback from both the client and the graduate cohorts. Our agile collaboration with the internal L&D agency allowed us to deliver the first in-person development week within weeks, meeting urgent expectations. This success paved the way for rapid scalability, with subsequent years welcoming larger cohorts.
Participants praised the engaging content and real-world relevance of the development weeks, reinforcing the value of our integrated, multi-format approach. The success and expansion of the programme shows the strength of our partnership and our commitment to inspiring early career development in a way that is dynamic, strategic and immersive.
