Ericsson Australia and New Zealand is seeking its next generation of leaders with the commencement of its 2012 graduate recruitment campaign.

The global telecommunications organisation is seeking 19 graduates in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, and Information Technology, and positions will be available in three of Ericsson’s major locations - Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland.

Ericsson Australia & New Zealand’s Head of Human Resources, Tristram Gray, said Ericsson was one hundred per cent committed to continuing to recruit graduates every year.

“The fresh perspective and energy that our graduates bring to our company is invaluable. Not only are they strong contributors from day one when they commence with Ericsson, we know from experience that they have the potential to be our future leaders – with many of our executives and senior leaders having started out in Ericsson’s graduate program,” said Gray

Gray said this year Ericsson was also recruiting in Sydney and Auckland due to business opportunities and customer commitments in these cities.

The Ericsson graduate program enables participants to specialise in a technical skill, for example Core/IP, RAN, Media and Applications or Transmission.

At the end of three years, graduates qualify as Ericsson Certified-Assessed or Experienced Engineers. In addition, the program provides exposure to real life customer projects and skills development in areas such as effective presentation and influencing skills, and an introduction to leadership competencies which help graduates navigate what is, for many of them, their first professional role and environment.

The 2012 graduate recruitment campaign has been developed following research with graduates from prior intakes about the most effective methods to attract Gen Y candidates.

“While some companies might be experimenting with Facebook or Twitter as a recruitment tool, our graduates have told us that they prefer we don’t play in what they consider their personal online spaces,” said Gray.

“Our research found that potential graduates wanted to meet with us face-to-face at universities, or via reputable ICT social media forums such as Whirlpool or a dedicated Ericsson micro-site, not Facebook,” said Gray.

“We’ve therefore combined our online efforts with strong partnerships with major universities, including the sponsorship of academic awards.”

The campaign will officially close at the end of March, with interviews, evaluations and offers to successful graduates completed by the end of May.