University graduates passionate about agriculture are being offered the opportunity to commence their careers with Rabobank, with the opening of applications for the specialist agribusiness bank's 2025 graduate program.
Since commencing its formal graduate program in 2023, the bank has launched the careers of a range of university graduates across the country, in locations spanning from Sydney to Geraldton in regional Western Australia.
Rabobank is now 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 2025.
The world's leading specialist food and agribusiness bank, Rabobank is one of Australia's largest agricultural lenders and a major provider of business and corporate banking services to the country's food and agribusiness sector.
Rabobank Group Executive, Chief HR Officer Belinda Webber said the program offered graduates the opportunity to pursue meaningful careers with a global agricultural leader.
"Program participants have the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge, and experience while working across one of Australia's leading agricultural and financial institutions," she said.
Recently recognised by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers as one of the Top Graduate Employers in 2024, the bank is seeking graduates for its 2025 program in a range of business areas including rural banking, sustainability, risk management, technology, operations, legal, business transformation and finance across a variety of regional and metropolitan locations.
Ms Webber said each graduate would rotate across a range of areas within their chosen function as part of the program.
"The program aims to offer significant career development prospects and foster growth in graduates' chosen fields of interest, while also providing an opportunity to be part of Rabobank's inclusive and adaptable work environment," she said.
To help accelerate career development, each graduate would be matched with a senior leader within the Rabobank business to act as their mentor throughout the program. Graduates would also have the opportunity for regional and, potentially, international travel.
"All graduates spend time at a rural or regional branch in Australia – including locations such as Dubbo, Emerald, Geraldton, Moree, Toowoomba and Warragul," Ms Webber said. "Through this crucial customer-facing experience, individuals gain a deeper appreciation and better understanding of Rabobank's distinctive approach to supporting our clients."
She said since its inception, the graduate program has successfully served as a valuable avenue for attracting, nurturing, and retaining talented young individuals within the bank.
University of New England graduate Grace Bowd joined the bank's 2024 program intake and says she can attest to the career path opportunities offered.
Ms Bowd – who grew up on a farm near Maitland, in New South Wales – has completed her first program rotation with Rabobank in Armidale, NSW, and is now heading to Adelaide for her next placement.
"A highlight of the graduate program has been the level of support provided," she said. "The new graduates are matched with a 'grad-buddy' from the previous cohort – who provide guidance and regular support throughout the program. In addition to being matched with a buddy, we are also paired with a senior leader within the Rabobank team who provides mentorship and helps elevate our skills and abilities and also gain a broader understanding of the agricultural sector."
Fellow graduate Milly Bell, who joined the bank after completing a Bachelor of Economics at Sydney University, majoring in Agricultural Economics, spent her first rotation in Wagga Wagga, and will relocate to Emerald in Queensland to start her next rotation in August.
Originally from a cattle property near Nundle, NSW, Ms Bell said she was drawn to working with Rabobank as the bank exclusively lends to the agricultural and agribusiness sector. "The bank's long-term approach to supporting farmers through the good times and the more challenging times really resonates with me," she said.
Angus Keeble – another of the 2024 graduate cohort – feels he has learned more since commencing the program than at any other point in his life. "It's been an amazing learning opportunity – professionally and personally," he said.
"Having the opportunity to go out on farm to meet clients and talk about their operation, future goals and succession plans has been a very rewarding and knowledge bearing activity," he said. "Spending time with clients has expanded my understanding of the industry greatly and the role the bank plays in assisting clients as a financial institution focused on agribusiness.
"Agriculture has always been a passion of mine, fostered by spending time on the family farm at Bullengarook, in the Macedon Ranges region."
Applications for the Rabobank Australian Graduate Program will close on August 23 with places offered to the successful candidates in November and commencing in February 2025.
