“The benefits to us as a business are invaluable”
Creating a world-class graduate development programme for Trelleborg
Trelleborg is a world leader in engineered polymer solutions that seal, damp and protect critical applications in demanding environments. Operating across 40 countries and with more than 15,600 employees, Trelleborg is a truly global business. The Group has three key business areas; Trelleborg Industrial Solutions, Trelleborg Medical Solutions and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions. Its workforce is made up of a wide range of roles, but is heavily reliant on engineers and those with STEM skills.
The Challenge
As with all businesses in the engineering space, finding and keeping the very best talent is a challenge. Trelleborg has an incredibly strong track record in retaining its people, with the majority of its workforce consisting of colleagues towards the latter stages of their careers, who have been with the business for many years. But sourcing talent at the other end of the scale remains a challenge, due to a global shortage in engineering graduates and fierce competition from other hiring organisations.
Trelleborg’s business areas needed a more long-term solution to this problem. The company previously outsourced modules of a graduate programme to a number of different training providers, but this approach lacked consistency and the HR team were keen to create a world-class programme to set them apart from other employers. In October 2012, Trelleborg appointed h2h to design and deliver a full graduate training programme at Group level and the two businesses have worked together since, leading to a fruitful partnership that has seen hundreds of graduates rise through the ranks.
The Solution
h2h proposed a Group-level graduate development programme, enabling participants to develop a deeper understanding of the wider business, enhance communication and leadership skills and focus on key individual objectives for the future. Working closely with Trelleborg’s HR team, h2h developed five modules spread across 14 months, with three months between each module to allow participants to apply their learnings.
As with all its graduate programmes, h2h offered a blended learning approach, including experiential workshops, webinars, group activities and one-to-one support meetings, all backed by an online interactive learning platform. Every programme is bespoke and there is a constant improvement process so no two years look the same, but an example graduate programme is broadly structured around:
- Tools, skills and career management techniques
- Communication and emotional intelligence
- Integrated business processes and KPIs
- Leadership in teams and organisations
- Business and cultural awareness
Module 1 is delivered online to incorporate new ways of working and to demonstrate that it is possible to create engagement in a virtual environment. The subsequent modules are delivered in person over the course of a week-long workshop hosted at a different Trelleborg location, allowing participants from all countries to come together and see a new part of the organisation. The most recent cohort travelled to Sweden, Slovenia, Malta and Stuttgart. There is a strong element of knowledge sharing and cultural awareness that comes from this approach, particularly within a global organisation like Trelleborg. For many recent graduates who conducted their studies virtually during the pandemic, this has been the first opportunity for them to experience face-to-face learning and the additional benefits this brings.
“The professionalism shown by h2h is incomparable. There is a clear passion among all the h2h facilitators and a strong knowledge of what they do. They are flexible and work around our needs – if we want to introduce a session on a new element, they will either find someone in the team with this knowledge or they will look further afield and recruit someone with that particular expertise.” Manuela Re, Group Training Manager, Trelleborg.
At the end of every programme there is a graduation ceremony, where managers and mentors are invited to attend to witness the progress made by participants. This is followed by a thorough feedback process between h2h and Trelleborg to ensure constant improvement, as part of a shared commitment to deliver a world-class offering.
“One of the things I appreciate most about h2h is their feedback culture and how they are always looking for ways to improve and progress. They provide open feedback to us too and we have a very strong cooperation between Trelleborg and h2h, so that the programme can continue going from strength to strength,” Manuela Re, Group Training Manager, Trelleborg.
The Results
Since starting the graduate development programme in 2012, h2h has successfully trained more than 350 graduates representing all 40 countries in which it operates, many of whom progressed to secure senior leadership roles at Trelleborg. Graduate retention rates among participants are 20-30% higher than the industry average. The programme has been running for 12 years and is a key differentiator in the hiring process. Places on the scheme are in high demand and it is seen as a huge privilege to be nominated to participate, with slots awarded to the highest performing candidates who show the greatest potential.
“The benefits to us as a business are invaluable. The networking element of the programme is just as important as the learning. Graduates get a view of what Trelleborg stands for as a business, rather than just the experience of their own role or location. They get to see different products and parts of the business they wouldn’t usually work with, as well as sites all around the world. This can lead to so many benefits for the wider business and we have even seen product development as a result of people attending the programme and being exposed to the wider organisation.” Manuela Re, Group Training Manager, Trelleborg.
Testimonials
“The graduate programme was a great stepping stone in personal development. Interacting with the other graduates under the guidance of the trainers enabled a lot of growth and I still benefit from the experience many years later, both professionally but also in my personal life. My main takeaway from the program was awareness of the different communication styles and how to tailor my approach to someone’s personal preferences and needs. This has been invaluable throughout my entire career. The programme has helped me in clearly defining my strengths and to focus my career accordingly. This has both accelerated my personal growth, and the impact I can have at Trelleborg. The course leaders were a great resource, even beyond the course material. They engaged with everyone on a personal level and offered valuable advice.”
Benedict Krämer, Pricing Manager Europe, Trelleborg
“The trainers are very professional and use a well prepared structure throughout the sessions. A lot of the content can be used in daily business and helps to improve the quality of my work. The overall experience is great. One of the most important skills I learned is how to further improve my presentation slides and I learned a lot about my working style and my strengths. This will help me to be able to use them more effectively. The programme helps to become more clear about what you expect and where you want to go with your current role.”
Patrick Rehn, Pricing Specialist and SAP Sales Coordinator, Trelleborg.
“The course aimed to enhance skills essential for professional growth, focusing on behavioural development, personal effectiveness, business awareness, team dynamics, creativity, and cultural awareness. It was essentially a power-packed MBA. Throughout this journey, I had the incredible opportunity to travel the globe, explore other Trelleborg sites, connect with diverse individuals, develop as a future business leader, gain clarity on career prospects, and become a global ambassador. A huge debt of gratitude goes to the educators at h2h for crafting such an insightful course that challenged me to delve into new depths within myself.”
Gunarnab Ganguly, Engineering Project Manager, Trelleborg
“I had the pleasure of attending Module 4: Running an Integrated Business of the Trelleborg Graduate Program in Malta. This module allowed us to split into teams and run our business simulation. Drawing from the expertise gained in previous modules, we collaborated to make our team a resounding success. Spread through four quarters, each team member was allowed to run a different part of the business, expanding our knowledge. But it wasn’t all work! The week was filled with breathtaking views, enlightening conversations, and heartfelt laughter. Reflecting on this enriching experience, I eagerly anticipate applying the insights and skills acquired during this week to my current role.”
Julia Malo, Marketing Coordinator, Trelleborg
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate yet another successful year of the Trelleborg Group graduate program and I personally would like to acknowledge the dedication, creativity, and innovation that all our graduates have shown over the last months. These talented individuals have not only developed their skills, but also made valuable contributions, whilst reflecting on Trelleborg’s core values and mission. The program, which aims to develop and challenge our future leaders, has been an opportunity for professional development and personal growth for each graduate. Through practical projects, collaborative teamwork, and leadership training, our graduates have acquired valuable insights and experiences that are essential for their career progression, and it is evident that the combination of theoretical learning and practical real-world application has given our graduates a solid foundation for the future.”
Iain Micallef, HR Vice President, Trelleborg
If you are interested in finding out more about our graduate development programmes, you can get in touch with a member of the team via +44 (0)1347879056 or by completing the contact form. Each programme is bespoke to fit your budget, location, requirements and size of the organisation.
