Graduate Managment Trainee Programme

[excalibur324]

Hi all,

I am currently a fresh grad going into the job market in the summer.

Just wanna ask something if any one knows about Graduate Management trainee programme. Not refering to those MA programme of banks but more of companies like NTUC income, SMRT.. all have this kind of programme.

My question is..

1) does it mean that by joining this programme and you will have a better prospect in terms of promotion in the future?

2) does it mean that when you join this programme, it is better for you to stay with the company for longer periods of time and as such difficult to make a career switch later in your life?

3) are such programme by non-banks company overrated?

Thanks.. appreciate all advice.

Out of 10 management trainee programs out there, 8 are just sexy names for fresh grads where there is no visible difference compared to normal executive hires.

Real MT programs should have these features:

1) 1 or at most 2 openings per department, anything more than that is just mass recruitment
2) Above average starting pay, at least 3.5k
3) Comes with assigned mentor or coach in the company
4) Some form of job rotation during the program, preferably with a short overseas posting
5) Promoted to a real manager upon graduation, at least 5k within 2 years
6) Decent annual training budget allocated to the program
7) Stringent interview process including things like ability tests, scenario play, business presentation etc

You can assess NTUC & SMRT’s program against these guidelines. Anything less than meeting 5 out of the 7 conditions means it’s likely just a marketing gimic to hire fresh grads.

Originally Posted by excalibur324

Hi all,

I am currently a fresh grad going into the job market in the summer.

Just wanna ask something if any one knows about Graduate Management trainee programme. Not refering to those MA programme of banks but more of companies like NTUC income, SMRT.. all have this kind of programme.

My question is..

1) does it mean that by joining this programme and you will have a better prospect in terms of promotion in the future? No, unless you are a scholar.

2) does it mean that when you join this programme, it is better for you to stay with the company for longer periods of time and as such difficult to make a career switch later in your life? No, some quit once they find the job scope not to my liking. Career swtich wise depends on ur job scope. if say u r assigned to a v niche area in SMRT like train engineering, then it may be harder to switch than say someone who is posted to a generalist department like business analyst.

3) are such programme by non-banks company overrated? Depends on what you mean by over rated? Pay wise even for banks depends, a trader may earn more than someone in banking ops. I know someone who joined the NTUC scheme and she is in charge of a whole NTUC outlet, from managing the various staff to logistics and she is just 2 yrs + in the job. Does she earn lesser than a trader? most likely. but her career may be more stable and certainly has more potential than banking ops. Banking is good only if u get into the key areas, but for the other positions, u may be better off outside.

Thanks.. appreciate all advice.

See my ans above.