The programme provides a focused pathway for recent graduates to gain valuable experience, develop leadership skills and fast-track their journey towards becoming a future Dawsongroup business leader.
The programme runs for 24 months and exposes our specially selected trainees to various aspects of the business; including Operations, Sales, Fleet, Engineering, and Contracts.
The two-year programme begins with the foundation year, which provides the trainees with a grounding in all things Dawsongroup and allows them the opportunity to work across the breadth of the business and experience working in different roles and within different teams. In the second year, the trainees focus on an elected key area of the business.
We focus on:
Skills – We offer our trainees a structured learning environment, where they gain practical experience and develop the skills to excel in their chosen field.
Leadership – We offer our trainees opportunities to take the lead within teams and projects, alongside leadership mentoring.
Cultural – Being a part of the GMT programme allows our trainees to get to know the company culture, values, and our Smarter Asset Strategy.
Communication Skills – For our trainees, we teach effective communication, which is vital for collaborating with colleagues, leading teams, and presenting ideas.
Problem-solving – The GMT programme teaches our trainees to analyse problems, make decisions, and implement solutions; a key aspect of management that we are looking for.
Resilience – Our trainees develop the ability to bounce back from setbacks and stay motivated.
Career – Our programme is designed with retention in mind, we want to find the right role for each graduate and provide them with a platform to build their future career. The goal of the GMT programme is to find and develop future leaders!
We hear from George, Nikki and Dylan, our most recent trainees, below:
George, BEng Materials Science and Engineering and MSc Supply Chain Management
“I found out about the GMT programme as I had been fortunate enough to complete a three month placement at Dawsongroup vans in Milton Keynes in 2021. I really enjoyed working there, so when it came to applying for jobs after university, I wanted to explore options at Dawsongroup. It was only after completing my placement that I realised just how massive Dawsongroup is and the many opportunities it presents, which is what motivated me to apply.
“I’ve always had an interest in the truck and trailer industry, which stemmed from my exposure to it from an early age. My Dad worked as an Operations Director for different distribution companies, which often meant that 8-year-old me was dragged along to various business meetings at truck depots. Not wanting to just sit in reception and browse the not-so tasteful branded merchandise all day, I would often ask if I could go out and look at the trucks in the yard. After seeing just how cool all the different trucks were, the interest has stuck with me ever since!
“I'm excited to undertake this programme as Dylan, Nikki and I will get the opportunity to experience different departments, such as fleet and engineering, and have the chance to visit other Dawsongroup businesses during our programme.
“The most interesting part of my experience so far has been learning just how complex it is to keep a truck safe and legal on UK roads, especially compared to other vehicles. I’m the proud owner of a Dacia Sandero, but I think there’s more technology in a single trailer fridge than my entire car!”
Nikki, BA French and Spanish language (with a year abroad)
“I first came across Dawsongroup at a University of York careers fair in the final year of my degree. The Graduate Management Trainee programme appealed to me because it offered the opportunity to try a variety of roles in different departments and business units across the Group. As someone who was unsure about the specific direction of their career (but with an ambition to develop and progress within a company), it offered the flexibility and opportunity to find the right path for me. The group’s international presence, particularly in Dawsongroup temperature control solutions, also solidified my decision to apply and work for the company because to my background in foreign languages.
“The two-year programme is facilitated by Dawsongroup truck and trailer with rotations in other business units. It also includes departmental rotations, such as Fleet, Contracts, and Maintenance, at the head office in Milton Keynes.
“The most interesting part of the programme so far has been learning just how interlinked the whole supply chain is and what a huge part the company plays in keeping the country running. I often find myself seeing and pointing out Dawsongroup trucks up and down the motorway as I drive from branch to branch.”
Dylan, BA Economics
“I first heard about the Graduate Management Trainee programme through my university’s careers fair. I had the pleasure of talking to Jacob Ellis and Nikola Thorpe-Coleman and ended up having a very productive conversation about the opportunities Dawsongroup offers graduates. Considering it was my friends who suggested attending the fair, I vividly remember leaving intrigued about the programme and keen to explore the opportunity further.
“What really stood out to me about the GMT programme was the way in which it’s structured and tailored to the individual, which allows you to find your strengths within the various departments and operations of the business. Ultimately, what motivated me to apply for the position was the potential growth and career progression that Dawsongroup offers. The scale of the Group means that the future for any employee is extremely promising and the opportunity to explore the many pathways within business opens many doors to success.
“I consider it a privilege to undertake this programme alongside George and Nikki as we will be lucky enough to gain valuable experience across the head office departments and the nationwide branch network. Following our foundation year in Dawsongroup truck and trailer, our specialism year allows us to explore our prospects in a chosen specialism.
“In my short time here, the most exciting aspect of my experience has been meeting and working alongside so many great people. I view these professional relationships as integral to the overall success of Dawsongroup and personally I’m very keen to develop these further throughout the programme and my career.”
If you’re ready to embark on the next stage of your career and you’re looking for an employer who’s committed to your development and cares about you as an individual, then we’d like to hear from you!
We’re interested in students from all disciplines – students who have the passion and initiative to help drive our business forward.
We don’t believe in ‘one size fits all’ graduate programmes.
We build ours around you and your personal aspirations, and we keep our intake small to ensure that you get the time, support and training you need to excel.
You can contact Nikola Thorpe-Coleman, Project Development Manager, by email (nikolathorpe-coleman@dawsongroup.co.uk) or call 07940 433605 to express an interest.
Note: you must be a recent university graduate and possess a full, clean UK driving licence to apply.