Management Trainee Programme vs SGUnited Traineeship vs Apprenticeship

Find out what sets these different programmes apart from each other, and find out if you are suited to them!

Scoping out full-time positions and settling in to a coveted role is a common route many choose upon graduation. But although that is the most well-trodden path, there are other options as well, such as apprenticeships and trainee programmes. Read on to find out about these programmes, their differences and how they may benefit you in your career journey!

Typically designed to develop future managers, Management Trainee (MT) Programmes place emphasis on developing the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective manager. Although it is a fairly new concept, many top employers have picked up this technique in order to train employees within their ranks.

Although this sounds very similar to that of an internship, it is important to note that if you are accepted by an MT programme, you will be recognised as full-time staff, with the accorded benefits, and will be often asked to helm projects essential to the firm’s success. Because you will often find yourself in positions of leadership, though, you will also be frequently evaluated, though these assessments tend to be industry-specific. Evaluated progress normally dictates the duration of each phase of training.

Open to graduates and students who will soon be convocated, the SGUnited Traineeships Programme aims to develop skills in a professional environment over a period of up to nine months, even in the current economic climate.

Like MT programmes, trainees will be equipped with valuable industry experience, though unlike MT programmes, they may not be converted to full-time staff upon completion. However, the skills and experience gained through the traineeship will help you gain a firmer foothold in the in the job market.

On top of valuable skills, experience and knowledge, you can also look forward to receiving a training allowance over the duration of their programme.

Like MT programmes and the SGUnited Traineeships Programme, apprenticeships also aim to impart professional skills and experience. Where they differ, however, is that apprenticeships prepare graduates for specific, highly-skilled roles within a company. Should you choose to immerse yourself in your chosen field from the very beginning and pursue an apprenticeship, you will quickly find yourself in role that combines paid work with intensive on-the-job training. As firms normally create their own apprenticeship programmes, you will find yourself deeply involved in the business side of things alongside related instruction, whether on-the-job, in the company’s own classroom, or even online.

BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL DHL AGILE Graduate Associate, Project Management Office, DHL

I was required to apply different project management tools for governance and conducting due diligence for various projects in the APAC region. This required me to cultivate good time management, stakeholder management and prioritisation skills in order to ensure projects were reported timely and accurately. Moreover, I had the opportunity to be attached to a five-week warehouse programme with Dell to learn more about operations and supply chain logistics. I was also attached to a real-life case project, where I worked with a team of different project managers, giving me valuable exposure.

I applied for an MT programme because of the various learning and growth opportunities offered. I wanted to be a part of the inclusive working culture at DHL too, which inspired me to join the organisation. My MT programme also offered mentoring sessions and coaching from seniors and managers, so we could learn and adapt well in the new working environment, as well as cultivate a good habit of continuous learning for holistic growth.

The whole application process involved five key stages. The first stage involved an individual assessment, where I presented my views in PowerPoint slides, followed by a virtual video interview whereby I answered eight questions, with two to three minutes allocated to each question.

Once I was shortlisted, I had a Skype interview with human resources and a hiring manager. The last round was the assessment centre, where there were three phases: A group case study, individual presentation and speed interview with a panel of interviewers.

My advice is to try your best to enjoy the process and be yourself throughout the assessment. It is alright to feel nervous, but do try to smile as it helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Lastly, try to stand out from the rest by cultivating a structured thought process and clarity in presenting. Do also dress well during the interview to portray a good and smart image.

I think what made me stand out was being genuine and sincere throughout the application process and assessment centre. Being proactive and participating actively during the assessments is also a good way to show your eagerness and interest in the company.

Furthermore, by believing in your own set of values, much like being empathetic and respectful, is a good way to show others that you are a mature individual with a firm, strong set of beliefs.

One of the challenges I faced was identifying and prioritising important tasks from the rest of the remaining tasks. But by keeping an end in mind and looking at the big picture, I could pinpoint critical and important tasks.

Another challenge was to embrace the steep learning curve and adapting to the new role and working environment. There were many tools and things to learn and pick up within in a short period of time. Hence, making notes, being proactive and planning your time wisely are ways in which to track your learning progress.

Apply to as many programmes as you can. Do not be afraid to learn from your mistakes and take each rejection as key learning steps towards your end goal. If you need help for interviews and assessment centre, SIM Career Connect has many programmes and coaches who can provide you the career advice and trainings you need. Lastly, be yourself and do not give up. When one door closes, you will never know which door awaits with a better opportunity.

BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Associate, Tata Consultancy Services

I am currently undergoing an IT traineeship, specialising in Cloud. We are provided with a timetable to follow strictly, where we are exposed to different skills such as CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and even agile methodologies. The most recent project that I was involved in, was an idea generation of a one-stop app for the elderly. We planned and designed the basic functions as well as the roadmap for the application.

It was an interesting, yet eye-opening experience, as we got to showcase our project to Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information in the presence of media, such as Channel News Asia.

Prior to this, I took up roles in marketing that ranged from fashion apparels to lifestyle products. Through them, I have learnt the ways of advertising, copywriting and optimising SEO and SEM to improve brand outreach.

However, in this time and age, with so much uncertainty, the only certainty is change. I wanted to try out IT consulting as I knew that I was lacking in the essential skills in this ever-evolving digital era. Luckily, I stumbled upon their job advertisement on our Career Connect Telegram channel, which stated that students from all disciplines were welcome, so I went ahead to apply without any hesitation.

The advent of technology brought about many conveniences to our world and will continue to do so in the future. I have always been intrigued by advanced technology, and hope to one day contribute to this field in some way.

In my second year of university, I took a leap of faith and signed up for a C++ class during my summer exchange. Even though it was only a one-month long programme, I learnt quite a fair bit. I also took up free online courses such as basic Java and consulting internships from various consulting firms during the Circuit Breaker. That was when I considered a career as an IT consultant and started to look for jobs in that sector.

I attribute this to my past experiences and internships. Due to my vast experience in fashion apparels and lifestyle products, I learnt much more than just traditional marketing. As these organisations were both start-ups, we had to be more independent and resourceful.

I also believe that companies have evolved in their hiring processes, and it is no longer pegged to academic success as it always was. This company is forward-thinking and values essential soft skills apart from academic performance. Despite having almost no IT background, the stints I had in different industries might have been that edge that singled me out, as consultants work with companies of different industries.

This role is very different compared to my previous ones. Hence, the steep learning curve is, without a doubt, on the top of my list. I kept myself in check with self-motivation and discipline, and was not afraid to ask my batchmates for help. There is no shame in not knowing! We must learn to be resourceful, judge the credibility of information online and piece knowledge together. No matter what I do, I would always look for the answers to my questions online and try to understand them to the best of my ability before asking my peers!

The best time to prepare and start working towards your dream job is when you are still studying! First and foremost, find out what kind of jobs are available. You may be surprised to learn of jobs which you never knew existed. Search up the job description of the role, take note of the skills needed and start taking certified courses. If you do not know what you want to do in the future, just try out different internships over your study breaks. Eliminate the jobs that you dislike and slowly work your way through.

Do not be disheartened if you do not get you dream job right after you graduate too. Grab the right opportunities and gain experience while navigating your way there. Have faith in yourself and all the best!

BSc in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Human Resource and Corporate Communications Apprentice, L’Oréal

I

I was actively involved in recruitment and campus attraction activities. Also, I got to spearhead employer branding initiatives and drive employee engagement activities across L’Oréal Singapore.

Over the past year, I had the opportunity to work on various projects, including L’Oréal Brandstorm – the world’s largest student case competition. My daily scope also allows me to partner very closely with various functions across the business.

I have always dreamt about building my career in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) beauty industry. Upon graduation from university, I chanced upon L’Oréal’s Apprenticeship programme in the middle of my job hunt. Having heard so much about L’Oréal’s strong entrepreneurial and growth culture even during my school days, I knew I wanted to kickstart my career at L’Oréal and join the family.

I was particularly attracted to the structure of the apprenticeship programme as it is a one-year attachment to a function, where you get to collaborate and learn from many stakeholders, all while experiencing what it is like day-to-day at the world’s foremost beauty company.

At the first stage of the recruitment process, I had to submit a self-introductory video. Thereafter, I was shortlisted for an interview with the hiring managers.

I believe my passion, resilience and strong desire to learn convinced the hiring managers that I could potentially excel in this role. Conducting prior research on the job scope and company also allowed me to better position myself and to showcase my strengths during the interview.

Always ensure that you do your research about the company and understand the job description in detail. Remember to share your personal and work experiences during the interview and how you can potentially add value to the role that you are applying for. Most importantly, be confident!

I struggled with time management at the start of my apprenticeship. As a fresh graduate who just set foot in the corporate world, it took me a while to adapt to the working climate. However, with close guidance and continuous support from my team, I adapted quickly and expedited my learning.

My apprenticeship was an enriching year for me. It was definitely about the freedom to keep growing everyday here at L’Oréal. From the start, I was given a lot of autonomy and responsibilities that expedited my learning. As a fresh graduate, this apprenticeship was a crucial stepping stone for me as I jump-started my career, opened doors to opportunities and even got to collaborate and learn from the most passionate people in the industry.

Stay close to your goals and never give up on working towards your career aspirations. Explore work opportunities and expand your network while you are in university. Be proactive, always keep an open mind to learning new things and never give up!