DIGICEL’S inaugural Graduate Acceleration Programme (Digicel GAP) got under way this past week, with the first cohort of six graduates being put through their paces before joining the ranks of the telecoms firm’s 5,500-strong workforce worldwide.

Digicel GAP is designed to identify top graduates from local universities within Digicel markets and offer them the opportunity to work with the company on a temporary basis with the possibility of permanent employment.

“Applicants are assessed across a number of areas before commencing a one-year contract. Graduates interested in a place on the Digicel GAP must be in the top 15 per cent of their graduating year; (be a) graduate in a discipline relevant to Digicel; possess a strong understanding of Microsoft office; pass psychometric testing and be available to commence a graduate programme for a period of one year,” the company said in a release to the media.

“In addition, some of the behavourial skills desired include being a team player, a risk taker, a good time keeper as well as being customer-focused, decisive and having integrity,” the release stated further.

Meanwhile, this past week saw the first set of grads being put through a two-day induction programme that dealt with effective communications skills, individual development planning and exposure to three key areas of the business.

Digicel Group chief executive officer Colm Delves welcomed the graduates.

“At Digicel, we believe in developing the talent within our markets and testament to that is that 97 per cent of our staff coming from across the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific,” he noted.

“This latest initiative is taking that to the next level, as we seek out the best graduates from the various universities across the region and develop them over a period of one year with a view to potentially securing them in full-time positions in Digicel,” Delves added.

Mark Richards, an engineering graduate from Trinidad & Tobago, had high praise for the programme.

“The Digicel GAP programme is a fantastic opportunity and a great learning ground for me. Since I started with Digicel, Trinidad last week, I have been learning every single day. And as a new graduate, it is tremendous to see how the working world actually operates. A big thanks to Digicel for this chance to work as a new graduate,” he said.