Introduction

In 2023, The Early Careers Company partnered with Glencore, a global leader in natural resources, to transform their Graduate and Industrial Placement recruitment across London and EMEA. Glencore’s ambition was to diversify its talent pipeline and establish a future-proof early careers strategy that spanned its operations in the UK, Switzerland, and South Africa. With a complex and competitive recruitment landscape, Glencore turned to ECC for comprehensive support in building a truly global early careers programme.

Challenge

Glencore’s primary challenge was attracting high-calibre candidates who reflected the diversity of the regions in which they operate. Despite Glencore’s global presence, the company needed a refreshed recruitment strategy to appeal to top talent, particularly in critical areas like technology and commercial roles, while also ensuring gender balance and broader representation from underrepresented groups.

Solution

ECC delivered a tailored, global solution that tackled Glencore’s recruitment challenges across key markets. This began with the development of the Early Careers Value Proposition, which established four core pillars – Community, Growth, Collaboration, and Accountability – that underpinned the global approach. These pillars shaped the recruitment narrative and helped position Glencore as an employer of choice for early careers talent, emphasising sustainability, innovation, and leadership development. In addition, ECC developed a suite of new promotional materials, including videos, brochures, and digital content, all designed to communicate Glencore’s commitment to these core values and appeal to early talent. These assets were deployed across recruitment events and social media, via a tailored strategy, to ensure maximum visibility and engagement.

ECC also launched a global campus strategy, partnering with top universities across EMEA. This strategy included a calendar of custom recruitment events designed to supplement Glencore’s recruitment pipeline by engaging with top candidates through focused interactions, beginning with the Women in Trading event in London, focused on increasing the representation of women in a traditionally male-dominated field. ECC also represented Glencore at careers fairs across Europe, boosting their visibility among graduates and solidifying their reputation as an inclusive employer.

To further enhance the recruitment process, ECC added an additional interview step focused on assessing communication skills and leadership potential, improving the inclusivity of the selection process. Additionally, ECC designed and facilitated assessment centres, ensuring that candidates were evaluated in a structured, inclusive environment that prioritised potential and cultural fit. These steps contributed to attracting a significantly more diverse pool of applicants, particularly among women and STEM graduates.

"I’m happy for you to progress candidates without our review – honestly, shortlisting was a breath of fresh air after the last shortlist review I did with our previous supplier." _{– Jake Harman, Head of Early Careers}

ECC also worked closely with Glencore to launch specific attraction campaigns for technology roles. This dedicated recruitment campaign targeted graduates with skills in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and software development, addressing Glencore’s growing demand for tech-savvy employees to drive digital transformation.

Results

The partnership between The Early Careers Company and Glencore delivered remarkable results across all programmes. In year one, Glencore received a 260% increase in applicants compared to the previous year, with a 6x increase in female applicants – allowing them to achieve 50% female hires for the first time.

ECC’s work helped Glencore establish a scalable early careers model, rooted in inclusivity and strategic branding. By forging strong partnerships with top universities and implementing an inclusive recruitment process, Glencore now has a diverse and high-quality talent pipeline. The success of this programme has set the foundation for Glencore to continue expanding its talent strategy across London, EMEA, and beyond.

This collaboration was about much more than filling roles—it was about establishing a long-term recruitment strategy that aligned with Glencore’s global vision. By attracting a diverse, high-calibre talent pool and embedding inclusive practices, ECC helped build a sustainable workforce that will drive Glencore’s success for years to come.