Applications are now open for Rabobank\u2019s 2027 graduate program, offering university graduates with an interest in agriculture and agribusiness the opportunity to start a purposeful career with the specialist agribusiness bank.<\/p>\n
Rabobank is offering places for graduates from around Australia to join the bank early next year, beginning with a formal 18-month graduate program, which kicks off in February 2027.<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s leading specialist food and agribusiness bank, Rabobank is one of Australia\u2019s largest agricultural lenders and a major provider of business and corporate banking services to the country\u2019s food and agribusiness sector.<\/p>\n
Rabobank Australia CEO Caroline Oosterbaan said the program gave graduates the opportunity to begin meaningful careers with a major global food and agribusiness bank.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince launching our formal graduate program in 2023, Rabobank has helped university graduates from across Australia who have a passion for agriculture start their careers while at the same time building a strong pipeline of talent for the bank,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Rabo Graduate Program was recently ranked sixth in the Australian Association of Graduate Employers list of Top 75 Graduate Employers \u2013 Small Program category. This accolade recognises organisations that provide the most positive experience for new graduates based on the opinions of the graduates themselves.<\/p>\n
The Rabo Graduate Program was also recently named in the Top 10 Most Popular Banking, Finance & Insurance Employer list and ranked 52 on the Top 100 Most Popular Graduate Employers list, published by the Australian Financial Review and SEEK Grad. These awards \u2013 published annually \u2013 celebrate the most popular graduate employers in Australia, with employer\u2019s rank based on actual measured student applications from SEEK Grad.<\/p>\n
Ms Oosterbaan said the Rabobank program would see each graduate rotate through a range of teams across the bank, within their chosen function.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe program offers strong career development opportunities, supporting graduates to progress in their chosen fields while experiencing Rabobank\u2019s inclusive and flexible work environment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll graduates spend time at a rural or regional branch in Australia \u2013 including locations such as Townsville, Kadina, Geraldton, Wagga Wagga and Port Lincoln,\u201d Ms Oosterbaan. \u201cThrough this important customer-facing experience, individuals gain a better understanding of Rabobank\u2019s unique approach to supporting clients.\u201d<\/p>\n
To help accelerate career development, each graduate will be matched with a senior leader within the bank to act as their mentor throughout the program.<\/p>\n
One of those graduate mentors, Rabobank state manager for Victoria and Tasmania Sally Bull said the goal of mentoring a graduate is to support and guide them throughout the program and into a meaningful long-term career within the bank. \u201cIt\u2019s really rewarding to see the graduates progress in their careers and find roles they enjoy, because ultimately we want to retain them beyond the program,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Bull said the graduates she has worked with have stayed with the bank and progressed into Country Banking roles. \u201cThe program is designed so that after completing their rotations and gaining experience, they can move towards a manager position,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As a mentor, Ms Bull said, she set monthly meetings with her graduate mentee, \u201cand they can reach out anytime if they need guidance\u201d. \u201cThe conversations I have with graduates are really about their career aspirations and how I can help them get there, including who they should be connecting with within the bank and where they should be going for their rotations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rotations are a key element of the program \u2013 where graduates gain exposure across different parts of the business and different parts of the country. I\u2019m a big believer in encouraging graduates to go somewhere they may never go again \u2013 in a branch with a mix of commodities and a broad range of experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the branch rotations, the graduates are supporting managers with client portfolios, learning on the job and working closely one-on-one with experienced bankers. They get involved in client events, marketing activities and field days, and they also go out on farm visits when transactions are happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Bull noted not all graduates come straight from university. \u201cA number of graduates in previous cohorts have brought experience from working in other industries or have spent time travelling, which can really benefit their development. These experiences can also really broaden their understanding of the industry,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Rabobank state manager for NSW Toby Mendl is another of the bank\u2019s senior leaders mentoring graduates in recent cohorts. He said the graduate program delivers a strong, well-rounded experience for participants while also building a pathway of highly-capable future employees for the business.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe program provides a platform for developing skilled, engaged graduates who can move into long-term roles,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe graduates bring energy, new ideas and fresh thinking into the Rabobank teams they work with. Their enthusiasm is infectious \u2013 they are eager, hardworking and bring a real sense of momentum to the workplace. They have a \u2018roll up your sleeves\u2019 attitude and a genuine willingness to contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Mendl said within 18 months, graduates gain exposure to a wide range of agricultural industries, environments and regions across the country. \u201cThe opportunity to work across different commodities and geographies gives participants a genuinely broad understanding of Australian agriculture,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Applications for the Rabobank Australian Graduate Program will close on August 18 with successful candidates commencing in February 2027.<\/p>\n
Further information about Rabobank\u2019s Australian Graduate Program is available at\u00a0Rabobank Careers | Graduate Program<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n