Management Trainee Programme vs Traineeships

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 for 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!

Management Trainee Programmes

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.

SGUnited Traineeships Programme

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.

Apprenticeships

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.

Management Trainee Programme

Evelyn Ong

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Management Trainee, Oriental Remedies Group SIM EDGE Award Recipient

My role

My responsibilities as a Management Trainee (MT) are multifaceted, which include: front end, client facing servicing and partnerships, and back-end operational activities, such as sales analysis, reporting and even talent acquisition. In one of my recent project participations, I had the opportunity to work on the development of a new consumer line. This involved setting up of the website in the backend, including UI/UX inputs, product listing, crafting of product delivery terms and much more.

Why did you opt to apply to an MT Programme over other roles?

My choice to apply to an MT Programme was motivated by the mobility and opportunity to rotate across different and diverse departments, which allows me to get hands-on experience across different roles. As a fresh graduate, the flexibility to rotate and try different things was an important factor to me, as I would get to uncover my strengths and passion. The opportunity to rotate also meant that my job will not be confined to a job title, and there would always be chances for learning and growth.

What was the selection process like, and how did you ace it?

There were three rounds to the selection process. The first two rounds were behavioural and fit interviews, where I was asked to walk the interviewers through my resume and my experiences. Situational questions were also posed, and I was assessed on how I would handle and respond to different situations that may happen on-the-job. For the final round of interviews, I was given a case study to prepare a proposal for, and then I presented it – physically – to the co-founders of the company.

In my experience, to ace the selection, align your preparations to the job description so that you can demonstrate to the company that you can add value in a relevant way.

Competition is tough, especially in the present environment. What you think made you stand out from the other applicants?

Throughout my interviews, I presented myself as being able to effectively adapt in different situations through my past leadership and teamwork experiences. I also showed that I constantly seek to try out things that are foreign to me, and am receptive to feedback.

From my previous CCAs and work experience, I had the opportunity to interact with people of various personalities, and had a strong understanding of how to work effectively in groups.

Most importantly, I demonstrated my passion for the healthcare and service industry, which showed my interest in a role where I could help others and see an impact. I believe it was my commitment and willingness to put in the effort to contribute which made me stand out.

What were some challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Because I work in a fast-paced environment, I have the pleasure of meeting and speaking with patients from all walks of life on a daily basis. Patient requests and appointment rescheduling are also part and parcel of my daily routine in my workplace. From this experience, I have learnt to juggle various deadlines and priorities on top of problem-solving, while trying to deliver the best experience possible to the customers. One valuable tip I can share is that I actively plan my calendar ahead of time so that I can manage my workload effectively.

Some advice

One important tip is to actively participate in CCAs, find internships and take part in different competitions that will help to hone your hard and soft skills. They will be able to better prepare you for MT/MA programmes, which are fast-paced and require you to think quickly on your feet.

Additionally, I believe it is important to first find out more about the company to determine if a company’s background and culture is the right fit for yourself, and showcase to interviewers that you have done your research. Lastly, do not be disheartened if you face rejections, as every failure is an opportunity to learn. Keep a positive mindset and never give up till you reach your goal!

SGUnited Traineeships Programme

Amanda Soh

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Management and Digital Innovation, SIM-UOL Digital and E-commerce Data Anaylst, Menarini

My role

My role as a Digital and E-commerce Data Analyst involves working with data sets from different APAC regions, ranging from traffic flows from e-commerce platforms – such as T-Mall and Shopee – to digital media buys. Some tasks I worked on also included creating dashboards to tracking e-commerce traffic, and liaising with marketing teams from the APAC region and third party data providers to acquire datasets and managing Google Analytics.

Why did you opt to apply to an SGUnited Traineeship over other roles?

My job search was certainly not easy as a fresh graduate with little experience. So, I decided to apply for a traineeship programme, as I saw it as a stepping stone for me to grow as an individual, as well as learn as much as possible to help build a foundation for my career path.

Moreover, accepting this role would allow me to gain exposure to data analytics while learning about e-commerce and digital management, as the organisation provides the opportunity for me to explore and learn how best practices are created.

Competition is tough, especially in the present environment. What you think made you stand out from the other applicants?

It was certainly not easy securing a full-time job! I faced many rejections due to my lack of experience in the e-commerce field. In the end, what I think made me stand out was my perseverance and constant drive to not give up on myself, and the time I took to acquire new skills through free online resources. The skills and knowledge I have gained from my previous internships and CCAs helped, too.

What were some challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

There were numerous things that I was unfamiliar with, so I had to keep my motivation in taking time to do my research and learn. I also learnt to ask when in doubt, as there was, and still is, no shame in not knowing.

Some advice

If you are unsure of what you want to do, try out different internships and take note of what sparks your interest. Then, look at job descriptions for similar roles from different companies, and identify the skills required. Work on building up those skills – it will help increase your chances of landing the job!

Do not be discouraged if you do not get your dream job. Instead, grab any opportunity that is in front of you and work your way there. Take it one day at a time and believe in yourself!

Apprenticeships

Tung Mei Yuan

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business and Management, SIM-UOL Media and Marketing Apprentice (SAPMENA), L’Oréal

My role

My role as a Media and Marketing Apprentice for the South Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa (SAPMENA) region offers an introduction to the beauty industry, as well as insights into life at L’Oréal. Mainly, I am involved in driving the adoption of a new data-driven influencer marketing platform across markets. On top of optimising the influencer marketing process, the platform benchmarks L’Oréal’s share of influence against competitors in the market. I also analyse data to ensure that market spending on advertising and promotion is within global targets.

Some interesting projects that I have worked on include coordinating with TikTok to host upskilling sessions about running effective marketing campaigns on the platform, and designing and implementing regional guidelines to streamline processes.

Why did you opt to apply to an apprenticeship over other roles?

I discovered my passion for marketing in the beauty industry through my internships. However, it was difficult to apply for permanent placements during a pandemic, especially when my background is in business development rather than marketing. Furthermore, I was not eligible for SGUnited Traineeships as my exam results were only released in August, when I was applying for jobs upon completing my papers in June.

What attracted me to L’Oréal was its commitment to developing its people. Therefore, it felt like the stars were aligned when I came across the opening, and it was without hesitation that I applied for the apprenticeship.

What was the selection process like, and how did you ace it?

I submitted my resume along with a short statement I had written about why I wanted to join the company. This was followed by a screening call with L’Oréal’s human resources department. Later, a video interview with my hiring manager was conducted.

Personally, I feel that when applying for traineeships and apprenticeships, it is important that you highlight your strengths and soft skills. It can be your interpersonal and communication skills, resilience, or agility, as it is understandable that you may not possess the technical skills required.

Competition is tough, especially in the present environment. What you think made you stand out from the other applicants?

My hiring manager was pleased with how I demonstrated my eagerness to learn and grow during the interview, as well as my passion for the role and the industry. My professional experiences as a stakeholder and project manager was also essential in helping me stand out, even though I did not have a background in media and marketing.

Other tips are to conduct research on the role you are applying for, and display qualities that highlight to the hiring manager your drive to pick up the job responsibilities, as well as the agility to overcome challenges. Adopting a growth mindset is very important!

What were some challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

One challenge I faced was the communication barrier that comes about when working from home. I struggled with asking questions at the start of my apprenticeship because I was afraid that my questions would sound stupid, and there was no colleague next to me that I could literally turn to and ask a question face-to-face. Conversations must be intentional now that we are working remotely, and some questions would be difficult to clarify over a message or email; so it is better to do it over a call. However, I overcame my fear and started to initiate calls with the different stakeholders when I had doubts to clarify after realising how much more efficient it would make my work.

Some advice

It is important to start exploring your career options while you are still in university! Take up internships or networking opportunities so you can be exposed to the many different industries and job functions available out there. You can also take up courses that provide professional certifications to enhance your employability.

Otherwise, apprenticeships are good stepping stones to kickstart your career if you are not equipped with the essential hard skills required for full-time permanent placements. Always be proactive and stay curious to learn – you will be surprised by the opportunities that may come your way!