BP this week started its 2015 Future Leaders Programme (FLP), a recruitment campaign which aims to fast-track early career recruits to be the business leaders of the future. The FLP is a highly selective global recruitment and development programme, run by BP for candidates around the world to work in its Refining & Marketing businesses and its Safety & Operational Risk and Information Technology & Services functions.

This year’s programme builds on the success of previous years’ campaigns and aims to attract 30 individuals of the highest calibre to benefit from a bespoke global development programme that lasts a minimum of three years. Participants will benefit from significant mentoring and access to senior BP executives, combined with a real business role and an overseas placement. As a minimum, applicants must have a postgraduate qualification, at least three years’ professional experience, a global outlook and the ambition and potential for senior leadership.

Last year, over 4,000 individuals from around the world applied for the highly sought-after places. Previously, successful applicants from the programme, which started three years ago, have gone on to perform a multitude of diverse development roles, from being a petrochemical engineer in China to a fuel supply coordinator in Germany.

Rita Griffin, BP Group Marketing Officer said: “We want to attract the very best individuals from around the world – the diverse leaders of tomorrow – who will play a key role in maintaining and enhancing BP’s excellence and innovation. With only 30 places available annually around the world, competition in the past has been intense.

“We’re looking for people with a global perspective and the flexibility to work anywhere in the world, in either the technical or commercial tracks of the programme. We’re encouraging people to apply irrespective of whether they have experience within the oil and gas sector. We want candidates with an open mind, who have the drive and ambition to be the next generation of leaders within BP.”

Applicants are expected to come from a range of backgrounds, having typically studied STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) subjects to PhD or Masters level and/or an MBA. Once accepted on to the FLP, BP will work with the successful candidates to create a bespoke career programme, designed to optimise their development opportunities. Candidates will be closely mentored by a senior leader.

In addition, they will become part of the existing FLP network at BP, which enables candidates to join a global group of ambitious, like-minded high-achievers, all with shared goals.

Applicants are welcome from all countries and can learn more about the programme and how to apply at www.bp.com/flp. Applications must be submitted between 2 September and 31 October 2014. For those candidates who progress beyond the application phase, this will be followed by an interview and assessment phase. Successful applicants will usually be expected to start work with BP between February and October 2015, with BP able to work around individual needs.

BP makes a difference to the world by delivering the energy for transport, fuel, light and power and it needs a global high calibre workforce to carry out this work. That is why BP has an extensive recruitment programme covering all careers and attracting not just experienced professionals currently working in the oil and gas industry or related industry, but also new talent from graduates and post graduates. The FLP is one of these programmes.