The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) has launched new guidelines for the training and professional development of graduate recruiters.

The aim of the ‘agr Standard’ is to ensure that consultants are equipped with the right skills and knowledge to work in graduate recruitment.

The AGR said it could be used as a framework to develop individuals and teams and as a checklist when recruiting consultants.

Included in the agr Standard is a practitioner development programme – a series of masterclasses and training days covering skills, theory and principles of best practice in graduate recruitment - which takes between one and two years to complete.

The agr Standard is also available to companies which are not AGR members.

AGR chief executive Carl Gilleard said the new scheme would “help both new and experienced graduate recruiters to hone their skills and keep up to date with new ideas and best practice”.