Morrisons in Blyth is running two schemes, one for the retail sector and one for manufacturing.

The schemes both consist of an intensive 15-month programme with the overall aim of preparing candidates for a future senior leadership position.

The Retail Graduate Training Scheme will provide graduates with retail skills, experience and knowledge, while honing their operational skills, ready for their live placement at the end of the initiative.

The Manufacturing Graduate Training Scheme has been specifically designed to equip graduates with the required knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to develop to take up their first leadership role.

It will incorporate either manufacturing, food science or human resources.

Graduates will be exposed to a variety of development opportunities including practical projects, problem solving, off the job training and shadowing.

Morrisons retail training manager, Lynn Tate, said: "This year we will be looking for the brightest and most team-focused individuals to embark on a programme that will prepare them in every way for a path to the top.

Manufacturing training manager, Scott Acklam, added: "The manufacturing programme we have set out is unrivalled in its depth and scope.

"At the end of the 15-month scheme graduates can look forward to a future that will see them managing and developing some of the most progressive projects in manufacturing.

"Graduate management trainees on the retail scheme will learn sales, marketing, merchandising, customer service, staff management and organisational techniques.

"The programme is based in-store at a local Morrisons, where graduates will work alongside a store general manager, observing first hand what it takes to get to the top."

Richard Butterworth is a retail graduate who joined the programme in 2007 and he is currently working in-store.

When he completes his training later this year, he will become a senior manager.

Richard said: "The programme is excellent as it gives me a structured breakdown of what I need to achieve to become a successful senior manager.

"It is definitely a case of 'what you put into it' and being driven and ambitious are important."

Graduates who wish to apply for either the manufacturing or retail graduate training scheme should visit www.iwantafreshstart.co.uk