A strategic investment in global talent

The Global Graduate Program was initially introduced as an employer branding initiative. “The ambition was to strengthen the brand globally and position Sandvik as a forward-leaning workplace for young professionals,” says Freja Liljedahl, Global Graduate Program Lead. Over time, the purpose evolved and today, the clear objective is to develop graduates for key roles and nurture individuals who will form the backbone of future leaders and experts.

The program runs every other year and lasts 15 months. Thousands of candidates apply from around the world, with approximately ten admitted per cohort. “Selection is driven by our strategic needs,” says Liljedahl. “We focus on competencies critical for Sandvik and choose candidates whose profiles align with those priorities."

We look for people who are open to change and want to contribute to something bigger than themselves. If you’re not curious, you won’t thrive here.

Learning across the business

During the program, graduates complete three placements across different business areas: six months in their home country, a five-month international assignment, and a final four-month placement. “They get the chance to work on projects linked to the company’s overall strategy,” Liljedahl says. “Sometimes it’s within their field of study, sometimes in something completely new. It gives them the opportunity to test themselves and broaden their perspective.”

Graduates are also supported by a mentor with experience from across the organization, providing guidance and helping them navigate the company landscape. Together, these experiences give participants a well-rounded understanding of the business – an essential element of the program’s success.

Building global skills

While each Sandvik business area operates globally – and may even compete for talent and expertise in certain markets – the graduate program follows a “One Sandvik” approach. “To drive innovation, you need to understand different perspectives, and the program provides an umbrella view of Sandvik,” Liljedahl notes. “Participants learn to navigate complexity and see how everything connects.”

The placements are complemented by four learning modules hosted at different Sandvik sites, where the graduates meet and connect with each other. “The network they create during the program becomes their first global network within Sandvik,” says Liljedahl. “It’s incredibly valuable.”

The program also offers genuine international exposure. Participants not only collaborate across borders; they live and work in different cultural contexts and engage in strategically critical projects from the outset.

Broadened perspectives in Pune

The current cohort, which started in September 2025 and will graduate in January 2027, completed one of its learning modules in Pune, India, a strategically important market for all business areas. Graduates visited production sites and met local teams to see how results are delivered across boundaries. The visit made tangible how different parts of the organisation work together. With a clear long-term ambition to build lasting careers, the Global Graduate Program is designed to prepare participants for key roles across the organisation. “Our goal is that they stay with Sandvik for a long time,” Liljedahl says. “Retention rates indicate that the model works, with many graduates moving into key roles across the company.”