Graduate Management Trainee Review

I attend various stakeholder meetings for electrical vehicle projects, updating on the progress of each one. Currently, I do a lot of market research to build up a proposition for ENGIE and their charging products and solutions. I also do some QA apprenticeship training which involves completing essay assignments or general management training. My QA mentor also helps in monitoring my progress and advice if I am struggling on essay questions. Externally, I work with the other graduates in my year group on QA training courses and projects such as the ENGIE graduate letter and Million Makers for Princes Trust.

I have learnt lots of new skills during my first two placements. Stakeholder management - both placements involve updating the client, subcontractors and team members on project updates, health and safety or any confusing geotechnical aspects. Teamwork - working with my team effectively to price jobs and communicate effectively with each other. Communication - liaising with stakeholders and members of my team, ensuring the communication is clear, consistent and accurate. Time management - working to deadlines or moving deadlines requires keeping on top of the project and other training work in the background so it doesn't build up and have to be rushed to the last minute. Adaptability - adapt to new placements every six months which includes adapting to a new living arrangement, team, new work acronyms.

I enjoy the versatility of the scheme offering to cover various roles you would like to explore and the possibilities within ENGIE to define your own career path. Even though the graduates are based all over the UK you still get to know each other well and have enjoyable training days which allows you to share your work experiences. The training days are very useful as you may be struggling with a work situation you may not know how to approach and you can act it out in role play and work on this with the trainers and fellow graduates. It's also useful to gain insight of your next placement and what sort of work environment and people to expect.

I have found the programme structured and organised since being offered a place on the scheme. They kept me updated for 8 months before I started with a meet and greet with current graduates and monthly business communications. The first week allowed us to see various locations ENGIE offices are located and the opportunity to network with senior employees. They also organised fun events such as the Olympic Slide and Kew Gardens visit to name a few, as well as learning about the site and what ENGIE employees do there. They keep you well checked in throughout each placement with catch up phone calls, training days and QA mentorship. It is nice to hear feedback from previous years and how they are changing/ adapting this to continuously improve the scheme.

I receive lots of support from all managers involved to date. I have the chance to arrange monthly catch up phone calls and discuss progress in each placement. This is a good way to stay in touch if your placement is not London based. My line managers to date have both provided the support in gaining experience in areas/ skills you would like to improve. They have also given many opportunities to shadow various employees to gain a great understanding, attend council meetings from week one to fully throw you into your line of work which is what you need as you are only there for 6 months.

I receive continuous support from my QA coach with monthly office visits or Skype calls. They prompt me if I need to complete work or have an incoming deadline. From the first visit, they talk through everything possible you might need to know and also talk about their own personal experience as a manager. Other QA staff also check that you are receiving the right and adequate support from your QA mentor.

I find my qualification extremely helpful with both of my placements so far. It helps you understand about different leadership styles and members of your team which will vary throughout the two years of the scheme. It helps you explore and learn about things you never really thought about before such as time management strategies (important vs urgent) to help better manage your work priorities. It is also good for if a difficult situation did arise at work when you do fall into a more managerial role and working with people of low motivation, bad attitudes or troubles at home.

Yes, there are lots of networking events they hold throughout the scheme such as the initial induction week, facilities management talks, opportunity to become sponsored for charity events, award events. They host social events such as graduate meet and greet days, Christmas tree charity collection and recent escape rooms for team bonding exercise.

Yes

I have found ENGIE very supportive company to work for from day one. They provide you with adequate training to succeed in your role/career not only from the graduate scheme but other employees I have spoken to. So provides a promising outlook after you leave the scheme you will continue to develop. I have not had any negative experiences with any other ENGIE employees so far and have all been very supportive, showing they hire the same like-minded people. They support you in developing your skills, gaining experience and you get the chance to show your abilities from day one.

I would advise you to show your experience you have and how you can adapt this to ENGIE's values. My degree isn't 100% relevant to the scheme from a technical side but I can use the skills and adapt them in my everyday role. ENGIE is a massive company involved in so many different sectors and services, research the company as it might be useful to get in contact with another side of the business for help with a project your working on which you might have never of known about. Keep continuing to learn about ENGIE too as the company keeps continuing to grow and evolve.