Accelerator/ Graduate Programmes
Accelerator & Graduate Programmes
Our Accelerator Program is designed for ambitious, forward-thinking people - whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional looking to take your career in a new direction.
Each year, we run tailored programs across our business areas. These usually start at the end of August and include a mix of technical training, project methodology, consultancy training and hands-on work with real customer projects. As an Accelerator, you’ll also have a mentor who can help guide you during and after the program.
Our program for 2026 is now OPEN! Check out our open positions at the bottom of the page.
If we are not recruiting, but you're interested in joining us, please connect with us here so you will be notified once a position becomes available.
Business Lines
Dynamics
D365 is a powerful suite of business applications designed to streamline and optimise various aspects of a company's operations. Imagine Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a superhero suite for businesses!
The suite covers 3 areas:
Customer Engagement (CRM) is a tool to keep track of customers to make sure the businesses are always there for them when they are needed the most.
Business Central (BC) is mainly used within smaller businesses and covers everything from money to keeping customers happy.
Finance and Operations (ERP) helps with managing money and resources, kind of like a financial champion, it keeps an eye on how much money is coming in and out and helps plan for the future.
You will train to become a Microsoft Dynamics Business Consultant, you will meet with clients and work on projects to implement this market-leading software for their business.
Check out the below for more information on the types of industries we cover..
Here are a few of the industries we work with...
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Food & Beverage
In a world where the demand for food and drink is constantly on the rise, the industry faces challenges from every angle.
By embracing digital technology like Microsoft Dynamics businesses will be able to streamline their operations and automate manual tasks to transform their business needs.
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Retail & Distribution
In this dynamic industry where innovation meets customer satisfaction, our customers don't just sell products; they immerse themselves in more than just transactions; they build lasting relationships with their customers.
This is an ever-evolving landscape, staying competitive is key, and we ensure that our customers are at the forefront of transforming the retail game.
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Manufacturing
In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, where precision meets innovation, our customers do more than make products; they create seamless, efficient operations that drive real impact.
From the shop floor to after-sales, this is an industry where every detail matters. That's why we support our customers at every step of their digital transformation, helping them stay ahead, optimise processes, and unlock the full value of their operations.
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Life Science
In an industry where lives are impacted every day, our customers are doing more than just meeting standards; they're pushing boundaries to deliver safer, smarter, and more efficient care.
From research and manufacturing to patient outcomes, digital innovation plays a key role. That's why we work side by side with our customers to strengthen quality, improve processes, and build transparency through tech that truly transforms.
Want to hear more!
Watch the videos below to get some inside knowledge about the program we offer!
Life as an Accelerator..
Global Meeting 2025
First Month
Timeline and Q&As
Here is a timeline outlining what happens in each year of your training, so you can see how we will support you in your career success at Columbus.
Plus, we have gathered a few Q&As from our most recent graduates about what the recruitment process was like from their point of view.
Training Timeline
First 6 Months
An intense training programme, which will include:
- Classroom-style training, where you will need to attend our Nottingham office a few times a week. There will also be an opportunity for you to visit one of our Nordic offices, where you will meet with others from the program.
- Self-learning elements, you will have access to our global internal learning academy as well as other software tools to help you grow.
- Consultancy skills, you will be enrolled on to our in-house training program, which offers you communication and leadership skills training plus many more.
Year 1
- Upon successful completion of your initial 6-month training period, you will become an Associate Consultant. In this capacity, you will actively contribute to project work by supporting our senior-level consultants.
- Within your first year, there will be a focus for you to study and complete the core Microsoft Exams.
Year 2
- By this point, you will become an expert within a certain area of the project you are working on, so you will be able to lead on that particular stream without too much mentoring.
- Focus on becoming an expert in a specialist area. What we mean by this is that you will start to see where your interests lie, for example, you may lean more towards Supply Chain rather than Finance.
- In your second year, you will have completed all your Microsoft exams and become accredited as a specialist within your chosen module.
Year 3
- By year 3, you should be able to lead a bigger stream on a project without the need for a mentor.
- You will now be an expert in your specialist area and be able to talk to customers confidently about their requirements.
- You will at this point meet with your line manager and discuss our competencies framework to move into a Business Consultant position.
We also asked our Accelerators..
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In the first stage of the process, I was invited to a Teams call with 8 other people, where we had the chance to talk about ourselves and to complete an online task. If we were successful, we were then invited to the Nottingham office to take part in another task and a one-to-one interview. The atmosphere at both seemed very relaxed and not at all intimidating. The process was very two-way; they wanted to know me as an individual, but also what Columbus could do for me and how they could grow my career.
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My advice would be to ensure you research Columbus beforehand and understand what they do as a business. On the interview day itself, you will be asked to take part in various activities, from presenting, interviewing and team-building, so make sure you do as much prep as possible!
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For the initial first 6 months of the program you will need to attend the Nottingham office at least 3 times a week this is for training purposes and to build a rapport with your colleagues, after the initial period you can work from wherever you choose, however, the position does require some travel and overnight stays so you will need to have access to a drivers license and vehicle.
Where do you fit in?
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Graduate Scheme - Business ConsultantAccelerator / Graduate · Leicester, Anywhere(UK) · Hybrid
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Graduate Scheme - Business ConsultantAccelerator / Graduate · Leeds, Anywhere(UK) · Hybrid
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Graduate Scheme - Business ConsultantAccelerator / Graduate · Bristol, Anywhere(UK) · Hybrid
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Graduate Scheme - Business ConsultantAccelerator / Graduate · Birmingham, Anywhere(UK) · Hybrid
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Graduate Scheme - Business ConsultantAccelerator / Graduate · Sheffield, Anywhere(UK) · Hybrid
About Columbus United Kingdom
Columbus is a consultancy company focused on helping organisations drive business value by advising, creating, and advancing the entire business. We deliver digital value through human intelligence, enabling our customers to innovate and grow.
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