The graduate programme
Initial six weeks training
All graduates receive the same initial training with a strong focus on financial products, accounting and corporate finance practices. We provide training in IT and essential professional and interpersonal skills. At WestLB you will be supported through the relevant industry-recognised professional exams, and we also provide pre-programme work and reading to help you prepare for your training.
Rotation for real experience
Once you have done your training, a year-long rotation programme enables you to experience working with different departments within your chosen business area. The programme is supplemented by modular training focused on career development and interpersonal skills training. The rotations are based around your chosen business area and the length of each rotation varies depending your business area and individual skill set. Rotations are designed to give you hands-on experience of different roles and business activities and to help you develop a comprehensive understanding of your chosen area. It also helps you to build a wide network of contacts within the Bank and gives you (and us) a good idea of the specific role that will suit you best.
Support from mentors and buddies
Our culture is friendly, inclusive and very supportive. We also understand how difficult it can be starting at a new company, so all our graduates are supported by mentors and buddies from day one. Your mentor will be an experienced manager who you can go to for advice and to bounce ideas off. Your buddy will be a former graduate who will support you, especially at the beginning, and will help you to feel more at home at WestLB. Both mentor and buddy are there to answer your questions and help with any problems.