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Phase: Inspiration Missions: Skills & Training

School To Work Rotational Programmes

Corporate rotational programmes acclimate junior and senior leaders. These programmes initially afford breadth, with the goal of later focusing individuals toward depth. This same concept is being applied to young people in School-To-Work programs.

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Written by DeletedUser

Previously, young people took entry-level frontline customer service roles at restaurants, hotels, cafes, cinemas, shops. Those roles introduced concepts and skills required for jobs: punctuality, accountability, service.  Give the 'New Normal' economic conditions, flow through the workforce has become stagnant, as front-line employees are restricted from advancing, and thus hold these front-line jobs for longer durations.

That has the impact of closing a common channel to introduce young people into the workforce.  Thus, we need to create new doors for them to enter.  School-To-Work rotational programmes allow students to join the business in non-critical functions.  The students gain 1) experience and 2) an overview of the different functional areas of a business.  The business can test potential employees across a variety of different areas and assess their motivations, ambitions, and talents.

Apprenticeship programmes provide a strong example from artisan and craft-based work.  Apprenticeship programmes allow the Master to off-load non-critical tasks to the apprentice whilst instructing the apprentice in the craft.  However, that immediate depth is not as suited to corporate environments, for a measure of experience is required before the student is to differentiate.

Thus, if we merge the executional style of corporate rotational programmes with the values of apprenticeship, the result is a School-To-Work Rotational Programme.

Monadori in Italy provides a first-step example...
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DeletedUser

I am currently in a Rotational Engineering program for a construction management company in Manhatttan, NY. I am currently in my second of three rotations and I completely agree with the above. I have found that it is very nice to be able to move around positions. I really did NOT like my first rotation, but now that I've moved into the office I have come to enjoy it more and have been learning a lot more about the industry. I strongly recommend these rotational programs for any recently graduated student. They are flexible and really do allow you to figure out where your strong suits are.

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Photo of Meena Kadri

Great to get insights from someone actually participating in this kind of initiative!

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