Budgens is planning to push another 50 employees up through the ranks as its retail management training scheme goes into its fourth year. The scale of its scheme is on a par with that of Asda, said Budgens, and leaves the other big multiples lagging. The programme is geared towards graduates and those educated to A-level standard, with courses scheduled for June and September this year and February next year. During the first year candidates undertake placements in two stores. By the end of the year they should become assistant managers and at the end of the second year, branch managers. Budgens stores director Vince Maloney said: "Budgens' policy is to promote from within as far as possible and we are extremely proud of our RMT scheme." Chief executive Martin Hyson began his career at Budgens as a trainee butcher, and worked his way up. {{NEWS }}