Graduate Programmes

A unique development programme to help launch the careers of your next generation of high performers

We can help your graduates to equip themselves with the range of skills required to become an effective team player in your organisation. Based on our work with many hundreds of graduates we have developed a key skills programme framework so that you can select the content that is relevant to your graduates. Amongst others these skills include:-

1) Developing and leading a high performing team

Based on the Elan Valley Lodge Authentic Teams model we introduce the concept that high performing teams have 3 P’s. People – Purpose - Performance. An authentic team has the right people who have a positive attitude, learn from experience and support each other. They have a clear and appropriate purpose which is shared by all members and performance criteria that enable them to measure their effectiveness and achieve their goals. We will explore the role and responsibilities of the leader and manager in an authentic team and use appropriate leadership models to help delegates to fully understand the leader’s role.

2) Communication skills

Communication involves much more than words, non verbal signals and the manner in which a message is given have a significant impact on the effectiveness of communications. It is a two part process; the result of communication is measured on what is received and understood and not just by what is said. How do we listen actively, check that both parties have a common understanding and communicate effectively?

3) Personal presentation and influencing skills

What can we do to help project an image of a confident, competent person ready for management? How do we make a positive first impression? We look at body language, role models, and how to use our communication and planning skills to help us to influence others, including people senior to us?

4) Handling conflict

Conflict in the workplace can be incredibly destructive. Conflicting goals can quickly turn into personal dislike. Teamwork breaks down and talent is wasted as people disengage from their work. It is easy to end up in a vicious downward spiral of negativity and lack of cooperation. However, if conflict is resolved effectively, it can lead to personal and professional growth and enhanced team working. We look at the underlying causes of conflict; the escalating stages and behaviours associated with different levels of conflict and explore the importance of dealing with issues at an early stage. We will teach Conflict resolution techniques which enable delegates to respond appropriately to conflict and help to bring emotions to a level at which the issue can be dealt with constructively.

5) Presentation skills

Not Power Point but a session where we look at some of the basic principles of presenting in public. Pitch, pause, pace, planning, using the hook and personal style all have a part to play in an effective presentation. We look at the role of visual aids and handouts in supporting a presentation. As a part of the programme we will create opportunities for delegates to give, and receive, short presentations.

6) Planning, time management and prioritisation

How do you embrace a new project, often with unknown elements, that requires a range of people with different skills. How do you plan in order to complete it on time and within budget? Delegates experience the processes of effective planning through a series of practical tasks. They discuss prioritisation and time management and produce a generic project management template. This is used and refined in other sessions during the programme and developed into a practical planning tool.

7) Managing effective meetings

Here we cover planning and chairing meetings to achieve tangible outcomes. What needs to be done in advance? How do you prepare the participants and how do you ensure that decisions are reached?

Programme outline:

Our programmes are effective because we will work with you to develop a bespoke programme that will equip your graduates with the skills that they need to deliver the best possible results for your company.

We use a blend of creative outdoor learning activities, fully accessible to all delegates, theory inputs, discussions and case studies. There is a point and a purpose to each session and the programme is designed so that the learning is truly transferable to your working environment.

Based at our unique 5 star facility in Wales the programmes are usually delivered as either a comprehensive five day residential or as a three day residential with additional content delivered in one day programmes. Either way these courses are exceptional value for money.

Phase one: Planning

Prior to the residential, participants work with their line manager/mentor to agree current strengths and areas for development using the Elan Valley Lodge key skills appraisal wheel. This enables participants to focus on the skills that require the greatest development during the programme.

Phase two: Training

We start the training with a short experiential learning exercise before asking each graduate to share the results of their skills appraisal wheel to set the context for the event.

This is followed by a series of workshops with appropriate theory, practical exercises and discussions on the key skills that you have identified for your graduates. We will design the programme so that the workshops compliment each other so, for example, communication skills will be discussed during team skills workshop and vice versa.

An explanation of our Support and Challenge model completes the preparation for a challenging team exercise which is designed to give delegates opportunities to put the learning from the key skills workshops into practice. They will be encouraged to use this opportunity as a proving ground by trying different ways of doing things. There is a complex mystery to solve with a variety of exciting and interesting activities which will need to be planned and prioritised. Small sub-teams will be needed, and leaders designated, to tackle the various elements of the project. Inter team meetings will need to be arranged, short presentations will be required to share information. They will have to continually plan and reassess the problem. Effective communication will be vital.

The event generates a great deal of energy and people are often surprised by what they have achieved. Based on the theme of “challenge by choice” each graduate chooses how they can best contribute to the successful completion of the project. The exercise runs for around 24 hours, once all the information has been gathered, and the story unravelled, an end is in sight and a rendezvous point is discovered. All team members then meet up for the memorable finale.

This is a very complex exercise that has proved itself time and time again to challenge delegates on many different levels:

  • Intellectually
  • Logistically
  • Physically (if people choose to)
  • Organisationally.

Activities that can be included:

  • Archery
  • Retrieving clues by Land Rover
  • Interpreting clues and solving the mystery
  • Hill walking, a variety of walks of different lengths and terrain
  • Leap of Faith, a high ropes challenge
  • Mountain bike skills course
  • Raft building
  • Orienteering
  • Problem solving

We then review the team exercise and look at how the graduates approached the task with particular emphasis on the key skills of the programme. How did they apply these skills and what can we learn from their approach? This sets the scene for some forward planning where each delegate uses the Elan Valley Lodge key skills personal planning tool to record their learning during the programme and plan how they are going to apply, and further develop, their learning back at work.

  • What can I do back at work to improve my effectiveness?
  • What support will I need?
  • When will it be done?
  • What will other people see if I am successful?

The programme closes with each delegate having a clear personal plan to implement in their work.

Phase three: Applying the learning

Immediately after the training each delegate meets with their line manager/mentor to review their personal learning and development plan and agree how they are going to apply their learning to their work.

Phase four: Ongoing development

The delegates meet for a half day session facilitated by the programme director to share their experiences since the programme. What have they achieved since the course and what difficulties have they encountered? How can they continue to develop their key skills? Our approach is memorable and it works!


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