Pictured: Current employees who joined Pall-Ex via the Graduate Recruitment Programme. Back (L-R): Vincent Joly, Alex Kiss, Alberto Bertellino. Front (L-R): Rohini Syal, Karolina Stepniak

Pall-Ex, the UK's leading palletised freight distribution network, has announced that it is to continue its Graduate Recruitment Programme in 2012, demonstrating its commitment to graduate employment in a time when many companies are scrapping such initiatives.

Through the programme, which has been in operation since 2001, Pall-Ex currently employs eight graduates working across various departments of the business, from marketing to human resources and project management. 

Managing director Adrian Russell said: "2011 was a highly successful year for Pall-Ex, with the launch of both Pall-Ex Iberia and Pall-Ex Romania, and increased network membership in the UK. As such we are looking to continue our Graduate Programme for the foreseeable future and continue to bring great talent into the business.

"Pall-Ex looks to take on young talented graduates who want to work in an entrepreneurial environment, and as such, we do not constrain their spirit through overly-structured processes. Instead they are involved in shaping the future of the business through close mentorship, guidance, and training."

Many members of Pall-Ex's graduate team are also multi-lingual, which has been a great benefit for the network's continual European expansion.

The programme has had its share of success stories, with many graduates who have joined Pall-Ex having climbed the ranks after proving their abilities. 

Anand Assi is now a board director, and industry thought leader, who is project managing the expansion into Europe, after joining the company in 2001. Similarly, former graduate trainee Karolina Stepnaik was promoted to project coordinator after 15 months and is now project manager.

"We are looking for business leaders of the future and I see our graduates as being one of the pools that we could dip into when looking for successors within the business," said Anand Assi.

Graduates on the scheme begin at a grass roots level, to apply the theory from their education into real business practice. They are then exposed to core operational areas, taking time to make sure they understand Pall-Ex's operation and values, making an impact from day one.