One Year Sets Up Your Career - Accor's Graduate Management Trainee Program Can Really Take You Places
Global hotel group Accor is seeking up to 30 hospitality, business or tourism graduates to fill positions in its mid year intake of their Graduate Management Trainee (GMT) Program. The one-year program provides on-the-job training and career development for graduates looking to fast-track their careers in hospitality. Applications are open to anyone who has completed a degree or diploma in hospitality, business or tourism, has at least 12...
As an organisation that recognises staff who are committed to developing their knowledge with tertiary studies, Accor is the only hotel group in Australia with its own nationally accredited training academy, Academie Accor, and offers endless opportunities for ambitious graduates, with more than 4000 hotels and resorts around the world and over 130 in Australia alone.
The GMT program is designed to complement tertiary qualifications during a year-long paid traineeship aimed at developing participants into a supervisory role within Accor. Each GMT undertakes two six-month placements in operational hotel departments. In addition to this practical experience, they must complete specific projects to increase knowledge and build their skills.
Beth completed a Bachelor of Economics in Taiwan and moved to Australia to further her studies, completing a Masters Degree in International Events Management through the University of Queensland. Her post graduate studies helped determine Beth’s desire for a career in Hospitality, hence her decision to pursue a placement in the GMT program to complement her studies.
Beth is currently completing the first stage of her placement in the Food & Beverage Division and will complete her second and final stage in the Rooms Division. Her advice to anyone considering a placement in the GMT program is to keep the end goal in mind.
“This is a special program and you need to be self-motivated to succeed in it. It’s hard work and you need to challenge yourself – the harder you work the more you will get out of the program”.
Alicia Blythe completed the GMT program in 2007 and is now based at Hotel Ibis Wollongong as a Duty Manager. The GMT program provides a bridge from tertiary study into the workforce and is the perfect platform to the supervisory and management roles that are available in a large organisation like Accor.
“The networking opportunities and strong foundation you make with mentors, managers and Accor employees while on this program is invaluable,” says Alicia.
“The program is so much more than a job, it’s an experience. It really builds you as a person and gives you the confidence to take that next step in your career while having the continued support from strong leaders such as your General Managers, HR Managers and departmental leaders.”
There is never a dull day for Trinh Mai, 26, at the Novotel & Hotel Ibis Sydney Olympic Park, where she is finishing her second placement after finishing up at Manly Pacific Sydney.
“You could be making a reservation one moment then downstairs in the brewery the next, testing out those biceps carrying plates to ease rush hour at lunch, before returning to your desk to discuss various marketing proposals,” says Trinh.
“With the recent Easter Show and many big name concerts at Sydney Olympic Park there is always a fantastic vibe in the hotel which serves as a constant reminder as to why I’ve chosen Hospitality as a career.”
The GMT program is not always glamorous but it is its ‘nuts and bolts’ approach that has proved most effective. Abi Cooper, 23, based at the Novotel Langley Perth is currently in the Food & Beverage department following her first rotation with the hardworking Housekeeping team.
“In this department I learnt the roles of room attendant, supervisor and house person. I have a new found respect for the unsung heroes who work in these positions,” says Abi, “the work is physically hard, mentally tiring and often frustrating – it compares to a work out at the gym any day!”
There are GMT positions available in every state and territory in Australia, with applications closing on 9 June 2008.
For more information on the program and details on how to apply go to
Accor also offers Finance GMT positions. The aim is to take a strategic approach to developing talent and offering a career path in an area that is becoming more difficult to attract candidates due to the talent-tight market. The next Finance GMT intake is in November 2008 for positions in Brisbane and Melbourne.
The Finance GMT program is 18 months long and involves three six-month placements in three different business units. Candidates will need a degree in Business, Accounting or Finance and will take on roles in Accounts Payable and Receivable, and Night Auditor as well as taking on additional Finance projects. Finance GMT’s are then appointed in senior finance roles or Assistant Financial Controller role on completion of the training.