Powering People, Not Just Energy: AGL’s Graduate Program Transformation

AGL is one of Australia’s leading integrated energy companies, providing sustainable and innovative solutions to meet the nation’s growing energy demands. With a proud history of over 185 years, AGL is committed to developing the next generation of leaders who can drive change and help transition Australia towards a low-carbon future. As part of this commitment, AGL invests heavily in graduate talent, particularly within their engineering cohort – a group critical to innovation, operations, and building Australia’s energy future.

AGL needed a partner who could design and deliver a graduate program experience that went beyond the classroom and supported their strategic people priorities.

AGL partnered with Readygrad, leaders in graduate program development, to design and deliver a tailored solution for their engineering graduate group.

Readygrad’s approach focused on three key pillars:

• A program was designed to balance technical expertise with mastery of soft skills.
• Workshops included modules on communication, influence, resilience, adaptability, and stakeholder engagement.

• Real-world case studies, simulations, and group projects were embedded into the program, ensuring graduates could apply new skills directly in workplace scenarios.
• Peer learning and reflective practice were integrated to accelerate confidence and capability.

• The program incorporated diagnostics, feedback loops, and manager check-ins to ensure visible progress.
• Graduates left each module with actionable takeaways they could immediately apply in their day-to-day roles.

The collaboration between AGL and Readygrad resulted in a noticeable transformation in how engineering graduates approached their roles, interacted with colleagues, and engaged with the business, with feedback and observable outcomes speaking volumes.

Stronger Communication and Collaboration
Graduates reported feeling significantly more comfortable presenting ideas to senior leaders and collaborating across departments – through a better understanding of themselves, their communication style, and tools to help them have more meaningful and professional interactions.

Enhanced Team Dynamics
Feedback from both graduates and their managers indicated a marked improvement in teamwork. Graduates displayed stronger collaboration skills, proactively sought peer input, and contributed more effectively to group projects. 

Positive Impact on Employer Brand
Word of mouth from the graduate cohort was overwhelmingly positive. Graduates shared their experiences internally and on professional platforms, helping position AGL as an employer that invests in holistic development — a key differentiator in a competitive talent market.

Connection and Understanding
Graduates overwhelmingly mentioned gaining a better understanding of self and learning about the personal styles of others, including the social connections within the cohort. 

Practical Learning 
Graduates valued the opportunity to move beyond theory and apply skills in real-world contexts. By working through authentic business scenarios and simulations, they practised handling challenges such as stakeholder negotiations, delivering feedback, and managing group dynamics. These exercises provided a safe yet realistic environment to trial new approaches, boosting confidence in their ability to handle professional situations.