A trainee is commonly known as an individual taking part in a trainee program or a graduate program within a company after having graduated from university or college.
A trainee is an official employee of the firm that is being trained to the job he/she was originally hired for. Literally an employee in training. Trainee programs and graduate programs are arranged by private companies and public sector employers where the trainee is offered the possibility to take part in 12–24 months training programs. During the duration of these programs the trainee is expected to receive a salary as well as is expected to have a full-time employment awaiting in the company when the program is over. Typically a lot firms will have a trainee period (2-3 months) where the person is still being evaluated after which an official decision to hire on a permanent basis is made. It is often used as a insurance measure by companies.
The trainee programs most often consist of a combination of theory and practice and is aimed at having the trainee to learn the company from the ground and up. Many trainee are able to take advantage of their contact network from the trainee program and climb the corporate ladder and become key individuals in many companies.
Many companies around the world organise trainee programs.