Earnings: starvation or a life of luxury?
How much trainees earn is determined by a variety of factors. Companies that view the trainee program as special training for high potentials and specifically prepare them for management positions usually pay more than companies that simply enable a “normal” career entry. Size is also crucial: with more than 1,000 employees, an average of around €44,000 is paid per year, while with fewer than 100 employees you can expect around €30,000. The industry also plays a major role: While graduates in the tourism and advertising industry only earn an average of 24,000 euros per year, the automotive and financial sectors pay significantly better at 45,000 euros per year. Sometimes the salary is also influenced by individual factors: Bachelor graduates usually earn 1000 euros less than Master graduates. Negotiations may also take place if the applicant has additional qualifications such as previous experience and stays abroad or a very good degree.
Responsibility: Better paid intern or career ladder?
Ideally, as a trainee you will receive really good training and a real push towards your career. In small companies, this approach to special training for future managers is often omitted, but that does not mean that you are not given responsibility - especially here you are often thrown into the deep end because you have to handle the tasks at hand with fewer employees. Unfortunately, since the term “trainee” is not protected, it also happens that trainee positions are not very different from an internship. If you want to avoid disappointment, you should make sure in advance that certain framework conditions are clearly communicated and contractually agreed, for example that training courses are offered, that a certain structure is specified and that you are supported in the training by permanent contact persons.
Sectors: Poets & thinkers or number lovers?
The number of trainee positions is increasing - whether marketing, controlling, logistics, technology, development, editorial, human resources or sales, the options have become very diverse in recent years, so that there are hardly any industries anymore where trainee programs are excluded. You can get information and find job offers from a variety of sources such as special job exchanges, job fairs, print media, social networks, career centers, applicant databases, employer rating portals or specifically on company career pages.
Stays abroad: jet set or home vacation?
A trainee program often includes several months spent abroad if the company operates internationally. Whether this is the case can be quickly clarified by looking at the job advertisement or by asking specific questions. Haribo, for example, allows trainees to stay in Girona, Spain, with Bayer you can spend a while in Copenhagen and with Hilti you can go across the pond to Panama. Further highlights: With Beiersdorf to the USA, with Vodafone to South Africa and with BMW to China!
Conclusion
A trainee program is a good way to gain a foothold in a company and is now viewed - similar to the traineeship - as well-founded training. It is important to always coordinate your expectations with the company and think in advance about what exactly your personal goal is and what you want to have in hand after completing the trainee program. More information about trainee programs with salary comparisons, experience reports and tips on the subject of contracts can be found at https://www.trainee-gefluester.de/trainee.
Putting the trainee model to the test: What does it look like in practice with things like stays abroad, earnings or responsibility as a trainee? And for which industries is a trainee program particularly suitable?
