Spalding-based Management Development Services aims to recruit engineering graduates into the industry as it expands its specialist training programme.

According to the organisation, which runs a management training programme for a consortium of growers, suppliers and retailers from around the UK and world-wide, rapid changes within the industry mean engineering graduates with managerial skills are highly sought after in produce.

MDS manager Julia Swanson cites opportunities for graduates of agricultural, electrical, mechanical and production engineering leading to major project management from site services to environmental concerns.

'The industry needs high calibre recruits to maintain and manage existing technology as well as to develop new technology through innovation,' said Swanson. 'These recruits also need managerial skills to provide leadership and effective control.' MDS has added a dedicated engineering element to its management- training programme and is targeting universities with the relevant engineering disciplines to recruit new graduates.

Trainees undertake four secondments with MDS and engineering graduates are being sought who will be placed on a mix of engineering and management secondments. The aim is to add managerial expertise to practical engineering skills enabling trainees to take up a managerial post with an engineering bias.