Damm's Graduate Programme strengthens its commitment to young talent
The company fosters a collaborative and intergenerational environment with a programme that combines practical training, mentoring and career development in key areas such as sales, technology, operations and innovation
True to its commitment to people and talent development, Damm is fostering the Graduate Programme, a strategic initiative designed to attract, train and incorporate young professionals in key areas of the company. The programme, fostered by the People Development Department, aims to ensure the continuity of knowledge and create an intergenerational and innovative working environment.
The Damm Graduate Programme offers recent graduates a one-year training and work experience in different strategic areas of the company such as sales, information technology (IT), operations and innovation. The programme is based on a support and mentoring model that ensures participants' integration into the company culture. Through this initiative, Damm fosters the technical and personal development of young talent and prepares them to take on future responsibilities within the organisation.
Since its launch in 2023, 43 people have participated or are currently participating in the Graduate Programme, of which 15 have joined the workforce on a permanent basis after completing the programme. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of the model as a means of attracting, developing and retaining young talent.
"Initiatives such as the Graduate Programme are essential to secure the future of our organisation. Investing in young talent means investing in innovation, in new ways of thinking and in the sustainable growth of the company. Furthermore, the coexistence between generations creates a mutual learning environment that enriches both new talent and more experienced teams", explained Elísabeth Hernández, Director of People Development at Damm.
The programme is structured into different pathways tailored to the company's main business areas. The SALES Graduate Programme is aimed at young people interested in sales and offers an immersive experience in the area of hospitality sales, allowing them to learn first-hand about the management and operation of the channel. The BUSINESS SUPPORT Programme incorporates young people into the Food Business Unit, with the aim of getting hands-on experience in a real commercial environment and acquiring experience in customer management and distribution. On the other hand, the TECH Graduate Programme focuses on the field of information technology and fosters specialisation in operations, cybersecurity, architecture or functional management of systems, contributing to the digital advancement of the company. The OPERATIONS Graduate Programme is aimed at profiles interested in logistics, purchasing or demand planning, giving them the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of Damm's value chain and its operations. Finally, the R&D&I Graduate Programme allows participants to get involved in development and innovation projects linked to the improvement and creation of new products within the company's portfolio.
Each participant has a tutor within the department who guides their professional development, ensuring personalised support, integration of working methods and participation in relevant team activities. They also have a mentor from outside the department who helps to convey Damm's corporate values and culture, fostering two-way learning between generations.
The success of the programme is also reflected in the transformation of the teams, who benefit from new ideas, digital insights and greater agility in adapting to market changes. At the same time, participants develop key skills such as problem solving, communication and customer orientation, consolidating a pool of talent ready for the future of the company.
With this initiative, Damm is strengthening its commitment to generational diversity and the sustainability of talent, promoting an environment where experience and youth complement each other. The Graduate Programme is thereby consolidated as a key part of the company's people management strategy.
