FAQs

Go to the ‘Apply‘ tab and complete our online application form. If you are unable to complete the form online, please contact us and we will send you a form to complete.

Evidence of personal qualities… an understanding of the meaning of ‘taking responsibility’, a willingness to learn from your own actions and mistakes and an ability to initiate not just imitate and improve. Your style of management will respect the contribution of those around you, and you will be realistic in setting goals and targets, for yourself and others, and able to meet them (or understand why not).

Second to none’ may be a cliche but we have many testimonials to this effect. The one thing we can guarantee is that the programme will feel very different from university lectures – it’s also great fun!

Some people are more confident about learning within one organisation but for others, the challenge of learning to manage and get good results in a commercial environment is best-achieved by putting their skills to the test in a variety of settings. In this way, they are faced with different people, cultures, products and systems – all within two years. MDS gives you the chance to learn management skills quickly and to test them out in different jobs and different companies.

Hours of work depend on your secondment responsibilities, the type or role and the business needs of the company.

No. MDS is a non-profit making co-operative, registered as a Friendly Society with the Financial Services Authority.

You are entitled to 28 days holiday per year including bank holidays.

We welcome applications at any time, and interview for positions throughout the year. Start dates are Spring or Autumn each year.

There are no absolute guarantees, but virtually all our successful trainees have progressed on to the kind of jobs they aspired to at the start. It is fair to say that for many of them, their aspirations on leaving university alter dramatically, once they realise what they are capable of in terms of managerial responsibility. They often surprise themselves at the quality of their first full-time post, as potential employers have confidence in their ability and knowledge of the industry achieved through the MDS programme.

The MDS management team keeps in regular contact throughout the two years, including at least one visit during each secondment. Additional day-to-day support is provided through a Secondment Manager within the member company as well as an informal network of other MDS trainees based locally. It’s there if you need it – you only have to ask!

It is up to you to find accommodation for each secondment, but there is often help available from the member company or other trainees who may have worked in that area. Trainees can also leave reviews of the accommodation they have used on the MDS trainee portal. You are responsible for the costs of your accommodation. Some member companies have houses or rooms available at a favourable rent.

We try to give as much notice as possible of when and where your next secondment will be. Occasionally, you may have only a couple of weeks to prepare, and arrange accommodation. In such a case, member companies will often help the transition by providing some initial bed and breakfast accommodation until you find your feet.

Yes. Trainees receive a salary of £24,000 in the first year, rising to £25,000 in year two. You can also receive relocation allowance of £500 if you move accommodation due to being seconded. Starting salaries average between £30,000 to £35,000 on completion of the scheme.

It would be very unusual to change mid-way through a placement. The aim is to provide a broad managerial experience, and that includes learning how to get results in challenging and sometimes difficult circumstances.

Yes, you will gain a Level 5 Apprenticeship qualification in Leadership and Management (Operations/Departmental Standard). The course is accredited by the CMI so you will also achieve Chartered Management status.

The variety of experience  in up to 4 member companies is so difficult to put a price tag on. However, this is what is cited time and time again by trainees as the most valuable elements of the MDS scheme. The other major benefit is the Management and Leadership Level 5 qualification, accredited by the Chartered Management Institute. Here are some more of the benefits of completing the MDS Graduate Scheme:

• Fast track entry into a fast-paced and innovative industry which is actively seeking fresh talent
• Access to an extensive network of companies and industry contacts (via your secondments, training and networking events each 6 months)
• Interview practice: you will be interviewed for each of your secondments, standing you in good stead for interviews for permanent roles
• Your CV is circulated to all members each 6 months
• Workplace pension
• Two years to try a variety of roles and businesses before deciding where you fit best
• Personal coaching from MDS staff and secondment managers at all placements to support you throughout the programme
• Excellent and diverse career prospects. Farm Manager, Agronomist, HR Manager or Procurement Manager: the opportunities are extensive!

The career paths of our 350+ alumni are wide and varied. Initially many MDS trainees go into middle management positions and they tend to progress rapidly after this thanks to the broad experiences and training they have received whilst on MDS. Examples of roles taken on by trainees immediately after MDS include:

• Category Technologist
• Logistics Manager
• Account Executive
• Assistant Farm Manager
• Trainee Agronomist

After several further years experience, MDS trainees can be found at the most senior levels of organisations, including retailers, growers, suppliers market researchers and software providers. Take a look at the #MDSFutures section to hear from current and previous MDS trainees about their career paths.

Secondments vary depending on the season and on the changing needs of our member companies. However, as an illustration, common secondments include:

• Quality assurance
• Supply chain
• Technical
• Procurement
• Commercial
• Marketing
• Harvest management
• Logistics
• Project management

MDS look at the development needs of each trainee and match them to a suitable role. The idea is to place people in varying types of roles which they are capable of, but will stretch them. Once trainees have been assigned a secondment, they do an interview with the Member Company to confirm suitability.

There are approximately 60 places available in total each year, with groups of up to 30 starting in April and October.