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THE JOB In every industry there is a need for managerial staff. From first-line supervisors to top executives, managers plan and direct the work of the organization, set policy, establish channels of communication, and evaluate the work that is done. These functions require knowledge, skills, and judgment that are most effectively developed on the job. To prepare individuals for management responsibilities, many companies use MANAGEMENT TRAINEE positions. These positions are most often found in finance, trade, manufacturing, and in government agencies. Depending on the business, the position may also be referred to as marketing trainee, purchasing trainee, accounting trainee, or management intern. Whatever the title, the purpose of the position is the same: to qualify individuals for management functions within the organization. Specific duties of a Management Trainee vary widely according to the nature of the industry and the individual firm employing the trainee. Very often, a trainee's assignments are rotated among the various departments in order to develop familiarity with the whole organization and its functions. Trainees may also get classroom instruction in subjects related to their rotational experience. Instruction may include lectures, guest speakers, projects, oral presentations, and tests. A Management Trainee hired by a department store may spend several months working as a clerk in one or more of the sales departments, followed by additional time working in customer services, purchasing, merchandising, and personnel departments, for example. In a bank, the trainee may work briefly as a teller, handle new accounts, and then work at one of the loan desks before moving on to other assignments. Many firms have formal written training programs which lay out the instruction and types of assignments the trainee will receive. They also specify times for periodic evaluation of the trainee's performance. Management traineeships may range in length from six months to five years. WORKING CONDITIONS A Management Trainee should be prepared to work in a variety of situations. Depending on the industry, the setting may be a large office with many people, a workshop, or a department in a retail store. Trainees may at times work as members of a team and at other times may work alone on an assignment. They are under close supervision and constant monitoring of their performance. Management Trainees employed in a restaurant or department store are on their feet for most of their shift. Many of them have to perform some of the same duties of their subordinates, such as lifting objects that weigh up to 50 pounds, cleaning, shelving, and serving food. They must deal with all types of customers. Their work schedules may vary each week. They are under pressure to perform well to qualify for advancement. Travel and time away from home be part of the job. Management Trainees may also be required to relocate once they complete their training. EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. These figures represent the broad occupational group Managers and Administrators, Not Elsewhere Classified (NEC) which includes Management Trainees. Estimated number of workers in 1993 80,210 Estimated number of workers in 2005 102,190 Projected Growth 1993-2005 27% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 24,040 (These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.) Not all of these positions were filled by Management Trainees, and many of these positions will continue to be filled by managers and supervisors of all levels. Continued need for Management Trainees will be affected by technological advances, plant expansions, increase in sales volume, changes in job requirements, and the trend toward flatter organizational structures that eliminate some management levels. WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS Salaries earned by Management Trainees vary widely and depend on factors such as individual qualifications, size and location of firm, and type of industry, but the median wage for all Other Managers and Administrators is $25.52 per hour. Hourly earnings for Food Service Management Trainees can start at minimum wage. Management Trainees get the same fringe benefits as other employees in the same industry. These generally include paid vacation and sick leave, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and pension plans. In some companies, profit sharing or employee stock matching features may also be part of the benefits package. Management Trainees usually work 40 to 50 hours a week, Monday through Friday. Management Trainees in restaurants and department stores generally work on weekends and holidays, and evening hours. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING A bachelor's degree is the usual minimum requirement to qualify for a Management Trainee position. Occasionally, individuals, with experience in an industry such as food services, may advance to a Management Trainee position. Some firms also look for people with master's degrees to fill their trainee openings. Firms may also require that applicants have a certain minimum grade point average. Depending on the industry they hope to work in, students should work toward degrees in business, public administration, engineering, or the sciences. Many companies also consider liberal arts degrees or a liberal arts minor with a business or engineering degree to be valuable. In addition to a good scholastic record, employers look for indications of leadership such as participation in student government or other extracurricular activities. Applicants for Management Trainee jobs must show themselves to be mature, adaptable, analytical, and capable of working well with others. They should have good organizational and communication skills. Some employers use psychological and aptitude tests to aid in selecting applicants. Public agencies require civil service exams, usually both written and oral. ADVANCEMENT Promotion is the goal of management training. The jobs open to those who complete a Management Trainee program depend on the sort of industry employing them, as well as individual interests and aptitudes. Examples of these opportunities include operations supervisor in a bank and sales manager, credit manager, or customer service manager in a retail store. Promotion often depends on ability and willingness to travel or relocate. FINDING THE JOB Many employers depend heavily on campus recruiting and referrals from college career placement bureaus to fill Management Trainee openings. Classified ads in newspapers and private and public employment agencies are also means for finding job openings. Those seeking jobs in management should also apply directly to employers. Job seekers should also register with the nearest California Employment Development Department Workforce Services Offices. Best opportunities for Management Trainees are found with large banks, insurance companies, department stores, and restaurant chains. ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION Career College Association (Vocational Education) 750 1st St., NE, Ste. 900 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 336-6700 Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association 250 South Wacker Dr., Suite 1400 Chicago, IL 60606-5834 (312) 715-1010 American Management Association International 1601 Broadway New York, NY 10019-7420 (800) 262-9699 Fax: (212) 903-8168 www.amanet.org/ RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES Retail Store Managers No. 242 Food Service Managers No. 503 OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed.,1991) Management Trainee 189.167-018 OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Managers and Administrators, NEC 199990 Source: State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group, (916) 262-2162.Note: This is NOT a job opening. The purpose of This California Occupational Guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, go to:
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