The term “trainee” is on everyone’s lips at the moment and you will probably know many fellow students who are running from one assessment center to the next in order to get one of the highly competitive positions. But aren’t trainees just better interns? No, rather they could be compared to volunteers who also earn well. A trainee program is viewed as in-depth training and helps you gain a foothold in your dream company. You can read useful information about trainees as well as the pros and cons of this type of career entry below.
Things worth knowing about being a trainee
A proper trainee program offers you the opportunity to work independently, further your training and climb the career ladder. However, the term is not protected, which is why it can sometimes happen that trainee positions are simply better-paid internships. So that you are not disappointed afterwards, you should clarify the most important framework conditions - such as structure, training or responsible contact persons - at the beginning of the application process and record them contractually.
While trainee positions are often only associated with large industrial companies, there are actually an incredible number of sectors for which you can apply as a trainee. You can find out more about this from various sources such as special job exchanges, job fairs, print media, social media, your university's career center or company career pages. Our list of the ten best companies for trainees is also very helpful.
In most trainee programs, traveling is considered an essential component: several months of stay abroad are firmly planned if you join an international company. It's best to ask about this during the application process. It could happen that you work for a while in Spain, Denmark, Panama, the USA, South Africa or China - like at Haribo, Bayer, Hilti, Beiersdorf, Vodafone and BMW. In this article you will find more information about international trainee programs .
At this point we would like to address one of the most important topics with regard to trainee positions: salary.
Earnings – what does a trainee’s pay look like?
In short it can be said: Trainees generally earn very well, even if the final sum depends on various factors.
- Trainee training type: Companies that view the trainee program as special training and want to use it to specifically train managers pay more than companies that offer a trainee position as a “normal” career entry.
- Company size: Another variable is the size of the company: with more than 1,000 employees, trainees can expect an annual salary of around €44,000, with fewer than 100 employees around €30,000.
- Industry: The industry is also crucial, because trainees in tourism or advertising earn a good €20,000 less per year than graduates who enter the automotive or financial sector with an annual salary of €45,000.
- Degree: Bachelor graduates earn around €1,000 less than Master graduates. In addition, additional qualifications, previous experience, stays abroad and very good qualifications also influence a trainee's salary.
We asked Johannes, a trainee at a renowned international automotive supplier, about earnings. As a master's graduate, he joined ERA 9A, which corresponds to a gross annual salary of around €62,000. In discussions with other trainees, he found that most salaries are between €40,000 and €62,000 - depending on the company. It also depends on whether the company is in the IG Metall tariff or is bound to a collective agreement. If a stay abroad is included in the trainee training, there is an additional foreign surcharge and the costs for the apartment are usually covered. Johannes, for example, will go to Guadelajara, Mexico for ten months starting in June.
Trainee position – pros and cons
If you look at the possible earnings of a trainee, this should be noted on the for side. But what other advantages and disadvantages does starting a career as a trainee offer?
Per:
- Building national and international networks: As a trainee, you will quickly get to know many people from a wide variety of departments, including senior bosses or later department heads. They will also recognize you within the company based on your performance and can support you in your future career.
- Foreign assignment: If you enjoy traveling, a trainee position is also ideal. In a foreign country, you not only get to know new people, but also yourself when you face the challenges of a different culture. You will also learn a new language and have the opportunity to continue working abroad after the trainee program.
- Exciting projects: As a trainee, you are not viewed like a trainee, but rather like a normal young professional. So you don't have to deal with uninteresting tasks, but you will immediately be involved in great projects, some of which you have to work on independently. This gives you the chance to prove yourself and make an impression.
- Training: You will also be offered useful training programs, thanks to which you can continue your training.
Cons:
- Increased attention: Appearing as a self-confident, independent trainee plays a big role, after all, you are being watched by the company as a potential boss of tomorrow. As a career-oriented trainee, you cannot show weakness.
- Collegial environment: Tolerance towards trainees can sometimes be limited, especially when comparing those who have studied with those who have been trained. Sometimes colleagues, for example masters, are of the opinion that trainees are a threat to jobs and only have theoretical knowledge that does not prove useful in practice.
- Great expectations: Management naturally has high expectations of its trainees and requires projects to be implemented profitably. Inventiveness and success are the order of the day here and will determine your further advancement.
- Time pressure: Time management is the be-all and end-all here, because trainees often don't have much leeway when it comes to completing projects. This can sometimes lead to overtime and stress.
In conclusion, it can be said that trainee programs are suitable as a career springboard for all those who would like to put their knowledge into practice, want to get to know a company from the ground up and aspire to a management position. As a prospective trainee, you shouldn't be afraid to take charge or follow instructions. Entrepreneurial thinking is required, as is commitment and consistent performance. However, if you do not plan to stay with your first employer for several years and are generally not yet completely clear about your career plans, the normal career entry seems to be the better choice for you.
Trainee positions are in great demand, and employers' expectations are correspondingly high. In our related article you will find out what requirements you should have as a trainee candidate in order to impress at the job interview.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a trainee program?
