Sainsbury's graduates get the chance to try something new : Community scheme develops leadership talents

Purpose – This paper aims to describe how retailer Sainsbury's worked with training company Impact on a graduate community‐action learning program. Design/methodology/approach – The paper details how, as part of their induction, 50 recruits on Sainsbury's graduate‐training scheme worked on a two‐day project with a primary school in London's Newham borough. The project involved the graduate trainees in projects such providing a healthy‐eating allotment at the 300‐pupil school. Findings – The paper reveals that the scheme helped to develop the graduates' awareness of their personal impact and to increase their understanding of the interpersonal skills needed for working in a team, while bringing to life the company's leadership principles. At the heart of the learning were Sainsbury's so‐called Different Values for corporate responsibility – Best for Food and Health, Sourcing with Integrity, Respect for the Environment, Making a Positive Difference to Communities and Being Great Place to Work. Practical implications – The paper argues that the scheme helped the graduates to feel they are an important part of the company and helped them to make the transition between university and their working lives. Originality/value – The paper outlines how the design challenged the graduates to bring to life sustainability and a green theme across the school.