Guiding future leaders
Mondelez Philippines aims to empower people to snack right. This means offering the right snacks, for the right moment, made the right way. To do this, the company for the past 55 years has been developing a great place to work and building a winning culture. The company believes that as they nurture the capabilities of their people, it can also bring about sustainable growth for its business.
One effective initiative which has helped the company achieve this goal is the Graduate Trainee Program, popularly known as the GT program. The GT program is an 18-month leadership development program for new graduates. Within this time, they are set on a leadership development path with learning experiences in different functions of Mondelez Philippines.
Since it first started in 2007, the GT program has offered hundreds of new graduates an accelerated career growth, a joyful work experience, and a promising future with Mondelez Philippines.
Life as a graduate trainee
Mondelez Philippines’ Graduate Trainee Program offers not just an entry position. It is a distinguished leadership program that provides them with learning and knowledge to help jumpstart their careers and develop them not only as employees, but as leaders.
What further differentiates the program is that as leaders, GTs are not only given training and knowledge about their home function. For example, if a GT is assigned to sales, he or she will also learn about marketing, finance, HR and other functions within the company. This way, GTs are not only trained, they are truly honed as future leaders.
At the onset, the GT program selects students who show the makings of leaders including above average scholastic performance and leadership experiences. Key leadership characteristics are also sought among applicants.
Bianca Baluyut, one of the many exemplary Graduate Trainees who now holds a management position in Mondelez Philippines, shared her experience of being part of the GT program, “After being selected as a Graduate Trainee, I was hired as a regular employee trainee for 18 months. Within this period, I was able to learn the business through Sales exposure and projects. I was also provided with cross-functional experiences like in HR, Manufacturing, Marketing, Finance and Customer Service and Logistics.”
Graduate Trainees are given regular coaching and feedback sessions to help in their development during the 18-month period. Gela Encanto is another best-inclass alumna from the GT program who is currently growing her career not only in the Philippines but in Mondelēz International in South East Asia. She explained the process that she and other trainees went through. “When we were hired as Graduate Trainees, we were able to enjoy all the benefits of regular employees. We were also treated as high-potential talents and were given specialized training and regular exposure to the leadership team of the company.”
“Each of us was assigned with ‘Buddies’ or peers who were often graduates of the GT program as well, to serve as our guide as we navigate our 18-month stint. At the end of the 18 months, we GTs undergo a graduation ceremony of sorts where we share our final case study and what we have learned in the past months,” Baluyut said.
After the 18-month program, the Graduate Trainees are then formally welcomed to their home function and positions, and begin their new role within the company. To date, 12 GT alumni now occupy managerial positions within Mondelez Philippines. Several GTs have also accepted positions across South East Asia and Australia as market leaders in the last five years. 55 percent of all GT graduates continue to be employees of the company as well.
Apart from the exceptional learning experiences, Mondelez Philippines is proud of the joy it creates inside every working day with fun celebrations, competitive compensation and benefits, open and inclusive policies and an enjoyable workplace.