A fortnightly column introducing key trainee programmes
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is entering its fourth cycle of recruitment for its management trainee programme.
Already employing 1,000 staff, the HKIA is now ready to expand its team of 29 existing management trainees.
'The aviation industry is so specialised that we do not have anyone else developing our people for us. We see the need to train our own people,' said Lilian Ho Heung-ying, senior manager of training and development at HKIA.
The programme accepts undergraduates and master's graduates from most disciplines. People with a few years' working experience are also welcome. 'We look for innovative, self-motivated, fast-learning team players who can think critically. With increased business with China, proficiency in Putonghua is an asset,' Ms Ho said.
She added that the two-year programme involved a very stringent recruitment process. The aim is for trainees to eventually become a pool of management staff, capable of handling general management positions. Upon completion, they become executives, junior managers and eventually senior managers, which they hopefully can achieve within 10 years.
The programme consists of two segments: knowledge-based and competency-based training. The former includes classroom and job rotation in HKIA's core services and businesses.