At SOA People, we experience the dynamic when senior consultants with many years of experience work closely with the next generation of consultants, who bring their up-to-date knowledge and perspectives into play. It is precisely this combination that our three-year Graduate Programme is based on. The programme is run in collaboration with SOA People Academy in the Netherlands, where candidates receive a strong professional and personal introduction to the job of SAP consultant through a six-week boot camp with 30 graduates from other countries in the SOA People Group. SOA People Academy has run the programme more than 50 times, and it is one of the most recognised training programmes in the SAP industry.
‘When we bring talented young people together with experienced consultants, something unique happens – both internally and with our customers,’ says CEO Lars Bork Dylander.
From vision to reality
The Graduate Programme is not just a talent development programme, but a strategic investment in the future of SOA People.
‘We can clearly see how our graduates take responsibility with customers and contribute to a culture of change. Diversity creates a vibrant culture, better solutions and satisfied customers. It’s not about filling positions – it’s much more about transformation and remaining relevant as a strategic partner for our customers,’ says Bjarne Møberg, Senior Director, Intelligent ERP.
Responsibility from day one
The young people in the programme do not hide behind experienced colleagues or SAP screens. They are given responsibility from day one and thrown into real projects with real customers.
Patrick Berthelsen explains:
“Just one month after the boot camp, I was sent alone to London to work with a customer. It was intense, but I was met with trust – both internally and externally.”
Sophie Toft Christensen adds:
“The unique thing about the programme is that you are seen as someone who has something to offer – and you are allowed to contribute. It’s a huge opportunity for those who want to take responsibility.”
Today, Sophie and Patrick have been appointed Graduate Leads and help onboard new recruits.
“It’s really motivating when we, as graduates with two years of experience, are allowed to influence development and support the next teams of SAP consultants,” says Patrick.
Value for customers and colleagues
With their backgrounds in data science, supply chain and finance, graduates contribute new knowledge and current perspectives which, combined with the experience of senior staff, create tangible value.
“When we work in teams where there is interaction between young talents and experienced consultants, an energy is created that customers clearly notice. Today, our customers actively seek to have young talents on their projects to complement our highly experienced consultants,” says Bjarne Møberg.
More than a career path
The graduate programme is not just about creating good careers for young people. It also contributes to strengthening digital competitiveness in the Nordic region and creating a more sustainable society.
‘When we help our customers become more competitive, we strengthen their business – and thus society. That is the big story behind the programme,’ says Lars Bork Dylander.
Facts about SOA People Graduate Program
- Since 2007, 690 consultants have been trained.
- There were 20 consultants at the first academy, which was a logistics academy in 2007
- The largest academy we have held had 48 participants.
- The smallest academy had nine participants.
- On average, 31% of participants are women.
- We are currently holding the academy no. 55 for Supply Chain Management and no. 56 for Finance.
- We hold four academies each year: one in the first quarter and one in the third quarter. During these, we run two academies in parallel, one for Supply Chain Management and one for Finance.
- Participants have given us an average evaluation of 8.7.