Tesco is investing in graduate recruitment by increasing the number of graduate schemes from 15 to 17.

The retailer is launching two new graduate schemes in telecoms and environmental engineering for its 2010 intake, adding to schemes already in place such as property, merchandising and store management.

The firm has taken on 191 graduates this month. And alongside the graduate scheme Tesco has also recruited 52 school leavers to join a 12-month fast-track programme followed by leadership training and technical training in each store. The scheme for school leavers with the equivalent to three A levels, allows them to progress to manage level within six months.

Lorna Bryson, head of UK resourcing at Tesco, said: "We are very proud of our employment of university and school leavers and our employment of university and school leavers. As a company we are committed to investing in employee development and finding future talent - graduate recruitment will always remain a valued route for this."

Tesco currently employs 74,000 staff aged under 25.