BlueBridge One’s Inaugural Graduate Programme: Building the Next Generation of NetSuite Consultants
In 2022, we embarked on a unique journey to address the growing need for skilled professionals in the NetSuite ecosystem: our very first Graduate Programme. Upon realising that the ERP (NetSuite in particular) talent pool is often built from a very small group of professionals who transition from other fields from exposure to the ERP Software itself, we decided to bridge this gap by introducing the ERP career path to recent graduates, giving them the resources, training, and real-world exposure needed to succeed as NetSuite consultants.
Our programme initially launched as a 12-month training programme, but it soon became clear that there was more to uncover and learn, and thus, the programme was extended to 24 months. During this time, the four selected candidates hailing from both the UK and South Africa have since transitioned from having little to no professional or ERP experience to becoming fully qualified and billable Associate ERP Consultants.
Programme Highlights
Our training programme was designed to focus on key areas within our business operations such as consulting, support, customer success, and implementation to mention a few areas. Over two years, our candidates were exposed to a variety of real-world projects, participated in ERP fundamentals training, and received certification as NetSuite ERP Consultants. Mentorship was a cornerstone of this programme, ensuring that each candidate received personalised guidance while also being pushed to take on challenges independently.
Why this Programme? The need for this initiative was born from a realisation that there is a limited pool of talent in the NetSuite ecosystem. Awareness of ERP consulting as a viable career path is not widespread, with most professionals arriving at the field by chance. By exposing entry-level professionals to this opportunity, we hope to cultivate new talent from the ground up, ensuring the next generation of consultants is ready to meet industry demands.
Reflections from the Graduates
As the first cohort of graduates transition into their roles as Associate Consultants, I sat down with them to reflect on their experiences.
How has the Internship Programme prepared you for your current role as an Associate Consultant?
“The Internship Programme was crucial in bridging the gap between my initial lack of NetSuite knowledge and my current role as an Associate Consultant. From the start, I was thrown in the deep end, which forced me to adapt quickly. The structured introduction to the platform included hands-on training in key functionalities like financial management and CRM tools, but it was the practical experience that truly made a difference. These sessions helped me understand client requirements in real-time, allowing me to develop tailored solutions effectively. This foundational knowledge and practical exposure enhanced my confidence and ability to respond to client needs swiftly.” — Laurine Jacobs, South Africa
What was the most challenging aspect of the training, and how did you overcome it?
“The graduate programme has given me an incredible platform for my current role, that I would encourage others to embark on. NetSuite at first glance is a very complex system with a lot of different components. With the graduate programme, you aren’t thrown straight into the deep end and expected to deliver an end-to-end implementation. You are gradually taken through and have the ability to do your own learning in between.
Some of the factors that have played a huge part in preparing me for my current role are:
- Mentors – You are assigned a mentor who will stay with you throughout your time at BB1. These mentors help with any issues that you may have as well as giving tips and tricks to assist you on your learning journey.
- Learning/ Training Material – There is a lot of learning and training material available. You are able to watch in-depth videos, and request lab (demo) accounts to put what you have learnt into practice and mock exams. These all help you towards NetSuite certifications. We also take part in external training where we can develop our customer-facing skills.
- Focus groups – They occur every week, where a specialist in a chosen subject takes you through different areas. These have been great to attend as we discuss topics both inside and outside of NetSuite.
- Knowledge-Sharing Culture – BB1 has a huge knowledge-sharing culture. We are all working together to help our customers on the journey to success through the services that we provide. Without knowledge sharing, some of what we are able to offer our customers is lost and would only be available through those individuals.
All of the above has helped to prepare me for my current role. ” — Toby Elphick from the UK
Can you share a memorable moment or key learning experience that significantly impacted your journey?
“The biggest moment in impacting my journey was my pivot from Implementation into Dev work at the start of the second year of my graduate programme.” — Sebastian Rolon, UK
Looking ahead, how do you feel the programme has shaped your career goals or professional aspirations?
“Looking back 2 years from now, I could’ve never imagined I would be in this position professionally. The programme really enabled me to become the best version of myself professionally. I have acquired an immense amount of skills and knowledge that will remain relevant for a number of years to come.” — Nicole Morris, South Africa
Advice for Future Applicants
As we look forward to welcoming the next cohort of graduates, we asked our alumni to share advice for those considering applying to the programme.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for the next Internship Programme?
“I would encourage anyone considering the Internship Programme to apply wholeheartedly and take on the adventure. Embrace the learning opportunity, even if you don’t have prior NetSuite knowledge. Be proactive in seeking help and asking questions; the environment is supportive, and everyone is there to help you grow. Networking with peers and mentors can also provide invaluable insights and connections that will benefit you throughout your career. Remember, this is not just an internship; it’s a launchpad for your career. So, bring your passion and enthusiasm, and let that drive you through challenges!” — Laurine Jacobs, South Africa
How did the training programme help you transition from being an intern to a full-time consultant?
“The training programme helped me by giving me equal opportunities in every area of the company from Support to Implementation to Customer Success, letting me find my likes and dislikes in those areas and allowing me to find where in the company I could do best.” — Sebastian Rolon, UK
In what ways did BlueBridge One’s culture and support system contribute to your success during the programme?
“BlueBridge One’s culture has played a huge part in the graduate programme & the graduates’ success, below are some of the key factors I believe have made it so:
- I felt a part of the team very quickly. One of the main reasons for this was that everyone was so kind and friendly, someone was always checking in to make sure that I was doing okay/ if I needed anything.
- No one judges you if you get something wrong. If you do make a mistake there is always someone to ask and in doing so people want to help you resolve it.
- Everyone is open to sharing their knowledge and expertise. Without people wanting to share what they have, a lot of valuable knowledge/ advice that we can pass to customers is lost.” — Toby Elphick, UK
Looking Forward
The success of our first Graduate Programme has not only confirmed the importance of investing in early talent but also set the stage for future cohorts. With our graduates now fully integrated into the BlueBridge One family as Associate Consultants, we are confident that they will contribute to the continued growth and success of our clients and the wider NetSuite community. As we prepare to launch our next programme, we encourage aspiring consultants to take the leap and join us on this rewarding journey.