Invest Northern Ireland’s Graduate Export Development Programme

The Invest Northern Ireland Explorers Programme funded by Invest NI and delivered by edge, the Belfast based global learning and development consultancy, has delivered a successful programme for the last 13 years.

To date, edge has enabled more than 500 companies generate sales across 60 markets outside of Northern Ireland and more than 700 graduates to gain experience in export sales and marketing.

Each year 80 graduates earn a position that takes them to the US, Europe, Australia or Asia. From Tokyo to New York, from Shanghai to San Francisco, the challenges are immense.

More than £40 million in export sales has been generated by Explorers for the Northern Ireland economy. More than 700 graduates have completed the programme and moved into Marketing, Sales, Export Development and Business Management careers. Some have even set up their own business.

Explorers provides a 35-week experience that takes graduates from the world of academia and propels them into a career in international business. It offers greater challenges than any other graduate programme.

The graduate is placed with a Northern Ireland company for 10 weeks, developing an export plan. Following this, the graduate then travels to a target market for 25 weeks to implement the export plan. Support from a Regional Manager and Mentor, Company Manager, and encouragement from fellow ExplorersTM ensures that each graduate remains motivated to achieve their end goal.

All Explorers participate in the Accelerate Management Training programme, a one-week residential training session with a focus on presentation skills, marketing, sales, project management and finance, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management.

The programme is an ideal opportunity for graduates who are:

• Self motivated, focused, with a positive attitude;
• Go-getters with drive and determination;
• Those who can use initiative to overcome challenges;
• Willing to be pioneers.

The final 30 projects will launch on 27th March 2006, targeting markets in Australia, US, France, Germany and Scandinavia.

For further information and to apply online, please visit www.edge-learning.com/explorers or call the Explorers team on 02890 789 004.

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