FMCG Business Magazine: Why you should take on an FMCG Futures Programme intern

Read more here: FMCG Business April-May 2026

I frequently hear that attracting and retaining great people remains one of the employment challenges in our sector. Quality talent doesn’t usually just magically appear - it’s the result of a development journey involving support and investment. For many organisations, building a strong graduate or early‑career pipeline is difficult, resource‑intensive, or out of reach. It’s important work, yet often not feasible alongside business-as-usual demands, staffing pressures, and the realities of running small and lean teams.

The FMCG Futures Internship Programme is designed to change exactly that. Now a well-established initiative, it provides employers with direct access to high‑calibre university students while raising awareness of FMCG as a vibrant and rewarding career path. The team behind the programme, from Biz Advisor and Talent Solutions, are already planning for another summer intake, and the programme is seeking more FMCG businesses to take part.

Since its launch in 2017, the programme has grown significantly, drawing strong interest from students across Aotearoa. Last summer, over 1300 students applied for roles, demonstrating a clear appetite for meaningful industry experience. These are motivated young people looking to contribute, learn, and build long-term careers in FMCG.

One of the key strengths of the programme is that the team aims to make it as easy as possible for businesses to participate. They manage candidate screening, interviews, and placement, as well as wrap-around support for you and the intern. Employers can focus on identifying a project or area of the business where an intern can add value, while the programme ensures only well-matched candidates are put forward. Roles typically run between mid-November and March, making the internship ideal for project delivery and seasonal support.

Students are placed across a wide range of functions from marketing, finance, and sales to logistics, technical roles, and IT. Some businesses prefer to bring an intern into one area of the business for the duration, while other employers choose a rotation model to give broader exposure across the organisation. In both cases, interns also receive a structured external learning programme throughout the summer through Talent Solution’s support, including an introduction to FMCG fundamentals, retailer and supplier visits, and career development workshops designed to deepen industry understanding and build connections across the cohort.

For employers, this means interns arrive curious, supported, and ready to contribute from day one – and the feedback reflects this: 100% of employers say they would recommend participating again – that’s a stunning endorsement. Many businesses report that interns take ownership of projects, bring fresh thinking, and help accelerate work that otherwise would have been delayed. Others highlight the longer-term benefits, with several interns returning as graduates once their studies are completed into staffing roles.

Get Involved: Help Shape the Future of FMCG Talent

The FMCG Futures Internship Programme is now onboarding employers who are interested in hosting an intern or exploring what participation could look like - now is the time to get in touch!