Labatt Breweries of Canada is helping young professionals build adaptable skill sets with its graduate management trainee program.

The program provides participants with an opportunity to rotate through diverse business functions (including supply, marketing, logistics and sales) and site locations across Canada, offering insight into the company’s operations from day one.

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With an emphasis on cross-functional experience and real-world challenges, the GMT program equips participants for long-term success, says Amanda Swant, director of people experience at Labatt.

The employer uses a variety of attraction and retention strategies, including functional early career programs and internal development initiatives for employees across different stages in their career, including continuous learning and internal mobility across functions and location.

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“The graduate management trainee program is a key part of this approach, designed to attract top talent and provide them with fast-tracked career growth through hands-on learning, leadership exposure and mentorship. . . . By combining these efforts, Labatt creates an environment where employees can grow, succeed and stay for the long term.”

For employers considering a similar program, Swant says it’s important for senior leaders to support the program and ensure it has the resources and opportunities it needs to succeed. Collecting feedback throughout the program can also help ensure continuous improvement of the program, based on future business needs and the ever-changing desires of early talent in an employer of choice.

“[Company leaders should] facilitate on-the-job learning experiences across key business functions so they can build skills while making an impact.

Creating networking opportunities — mentorship, cross-functional projects, and leadership exposure — helps grads to feel supported, creates meaningful connections and provides trainees the opportunity to better understand what different paths to career growth can look like.”

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