Learn and excel with a flexible and specialised trainee program
“You’re given a lot of responsibility, and initially it’s a steep learning curve, but at the same time you always have experienced co-workers to guide you", says Annemarta Strand Mugaas, who works in the Corporate Governance Department.
Halfway into the trainee program, she has already gained valuable experience in the international financial markets while working for one of the world's largest funds.
As an M.Sc. graduate in International Finance from CERAM Business School in France, Annemarta saw the NBIM Trainee Program as an excellent starting point for a career in finance.
“The programme gives you the chance to work independently and responsibly on assignments and participate in innovative projects. The extensive on-the-job-learning brings you close to the business and teaches you how NBIM operates internally and externally.
During the trainee year, NBIM also offer training programmes and skills sessions with other trainees, along with seminars focusing on relevant topics in the financial world. “I’m actually on my way to an internal NBIM trainee seminar right now,” says Annemarta, and adds that she finds it useful to learn about other areas of the organisation.
After Annamarta’s first months as a trainee, fellow CERAM graduate Sami Maherzi also joined NBIM. “Two of my former classmates had already joined NBIM as trainees, so I knew a little bit about the setting. NBIM is still a fairly small institution in terms of employees, but at the same time it has an important position in the global investment market. Working for a global company was one of my goals when I graduated”, reveals Sami.
As a Swede, he was already familiar with the Government Pension Fund and how Norway manages its sovereign wealth fund. When asked why he decided to join NBIM, Sami is quick to point out the company’s world-wide reputation and international environment for professional achievers.
“The NBIM Trainee Program gives you a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best people in the business,” states Sami, who works in the corporate Risk and Performance Department. He also finds the real life work content stimulating, and enjoys the trust and responsibility trainees at NBIM are given.
“The programme is based on teamwork and learning-by-doing principles. You become a significant part of the team from day one. This approach provides you with an opportunity to make your own day and create opportunities for yourselves. NBIM is open to your input, so you can really make an impact as a trainee.”
He also believes that NBIM benefits from the flat structure and transparency the whole organisation is imbued with. “This environment helps trainees and new staff to settle in. You really get the sense that people are pulling together and genuinely want you to succeed here. You get to know your colleagues through off-work activities organised by the Sports Club, and now and then NBIM arranges social gatherings.”
In order to better understand the organisation, all new trainees first attend an introduction seminar focusing on NBIM's strategy, values and mission. In addition, the course focuses on security, ethics and practical administrational issues. Most trainees find this information very useful and it provides them with a good platform, according to André Marki, Human Resources Manager at NBIM.
Marki explains that the aim of the programme is to provide the trainees with tools and insight into how to participate and contribute – both in their current role and towards the team and organisation.
NBIM provides all trainees with an experienced mentor. With profound knowledge of the organisation and skills in how to help develop candidates, NBIM hopes the arrangement will be of mutual benefit. In addition, trainees are assigned a departmental buddy to help them understand the practical and daily life of their department and organisation.
“At the same time it is a golden opportunity for NBIM to recruit and incorporate new staff,” remarks Marki.
“All our five trainee candidates from 2006 were offered a position at NBIM after finishing their training programme. In a rapidly growing organisation like NBIM, there will always be opportunities for talented candidates.”
Marki believes the NBIM trainee program gives candidates extensive knowledge about NBIM and international financial markets. It also offers interesting challenges and excellent career opportunities for both personal and professional development.
“For instance, we always try to select a mentor and trainee from different business areas. In that way the trainee will be able to get an insight into other areas of the organisation. During the trainee period, all candidates have two rotations in addition to their main assignment. The two other assignments are each of 1 month duration in different departments in NBIM. At the end of the programme, we feel certain that all trainees will be left with a broad understanding of NBIM, its different business areas, and how the financial market operates.”