SKF Global Graduate – the growing never ceases


Comments Off on SKF Global Graduate – the growing never ceases

What’s up, TraineeBloggen?

My name is Morris Tong, part of SKF Global Graduate Programme of Wave 3. I have a background in mechanical engineering. And I am from Shanghai. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to kick off the wonderful journey in September last year with other fellow graduates. And I am very glad to tell you about my journey so far and share some insights toward this program.

All of wave 3 enjoying the lunch together

The Program started in September last year, soon after I joined SKF. I could easily recall how excited and thrilled I was back then. The introduction month in Gothenburg was sensational. Not only did I get the chance to meet other graduates from all over the world, but the nice overview of the whole corporation. That month was so well organized that I also got the chance to meet those cool guys from wave 2, from whom I got multiple valuable advice on rotations. The diversity of our wave impressed me most. We come from different parts of the world with different backgrounds no matter in culture or in major. It is always interesting to learn different things or see things differently by collaborating with them.

The first 5-month rotation started right after the introduction month was over. I am currently working in my home unit as part of Product Line Management team. Soon after I came back, I was assigned to be the project manager to take charge of the development of a new ball bearing by my manager. To be honest, the pressure was a little bit overwhelming and the project was also challenging to me in the very beginning. However, one of the best things of this program was the connection with other graduates and my own mentor. We could share our concerns, discuss our problems with each other. Also, my mentor gave lots of ideas on how to run the projects. Now, the project is ongoing well. The factory is producing the samples. Once they are done, we will deliver them to our customer for the validation test. My first rotation is coming to an end. Looking back at the past five months, I tried to make small progress every day, even though sometimes they just turned out to be baby steps. And now I have got a better understanding of both product knowledge and project process.


Head office of SKF China, where I work everyday for my first rotation.

Next month, all of us will gather together in Gothenburg again. I’m looking forward to seeing them. My next rotation will be in France. Although the first rotation in my home city was enjoyable, I am now super excited to come out of my comfort zone and explore more. It’s going to be another challenge. And it’s the challenge that let you push forward. Thus, it’s a process of growing that never ceases.

Morris

Comments Off on SKF Global Graduate – the growing never ceases





Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

Exploration and experience through job rotation


Comments Off on Exploration and experience through job rotation

Hello all,

Welcome to my blog post! I am currently situated at the SKF headquarter in Gothenburg, Sweden and I just had a very inspiring day in the factory in Gothenburg. However, I would like to start with introducing myself and giving you some insights from my first time at SKF as a global graduate.

Me at the SKF headquarter

My name is Josefin Locking and I have a Masters degree in Strategic Human Resource Management and Labour Relations from the University of Gothenburg. As Aline, who wrote the previous blog post, I am also part of wave 3 of the global graduate program and I started in the end of August last year. This means that I am currently in my first rotation. It is an exhilarating time at SKF as the organization is undergoing a lot of interesting changes to make sure SKF is in the forefront also in the future. Right now, I am working with several strategic global and local HR projects supporting this. Gamification, digitalization and new ways of working, just to mention a few areas of super exciting initiatives going on. To take part in that feels great! Adding the global dimension makes it an intriguing challenge, as SKF colleagues from almost the whole world becomes part of your scope. I would say it is a truly developing and great learning experience. With me, I have great senior and global professionals with immense experience and great energy!

The first impression of SKF

All the girls together during the graduation dinner for wave 1

My first impression of SKF as a global graduate actually started before my first workday. My manager invited me for a lunch, briefing me about my personalized program, and gave me an office tour to see my future desk and meet a few colleagues. It was great and I remember myself being very excited before my starting date. Since the first day I have received a very warm welcome and the graduate program and SKF are doing their utmost to make it as great for us as they possibly can. As Aline wrote in the previous blog post, we had a great introduction month, all global graduates from wave 3 together, and everyone is now in their first rotation in their home country. We are still keeping in touch though! Working at a global company, I am often in contact with people situated in different countries. This is something I really enjoy, and it is one of the reasons I applied for the SKF graduate program in the first place.

Job rotation, job rotation, and more job rotation

The global graduate program is an intriguing 18 months journey, which I am now in the midst of. While the program is tailored for everyone, the common part for everyone is job rotation. It is really in the heart of the global graduate program. As you probably already know, the graduate program consists of three different rotations, five months each. Usually, it is one in the home country and two in other countries. For me, my second rotation will be in Turin, Italy. In just two months I will go there, and I am looking forward to it a lot! The third rotation is not yet decided, but I am also very excited about that. I am sure it will be great. My manager is giving me such a great support in setting up the rotations for me, and she is really making an effort to make it as great as possible.

All the graduates in wave 3 – along the beautiful coast in Gothenburg

However, for me, the job rotations are not ending there. On top of the three rotations in the different countries, I am also doing a lot of rotations and shadowing within each rotation to meet many of my colleagues and to get an overview of their areas. Currently, I am joining the local HR team in the Gothenburg factory for three weeks. I get the opportunity to develop my knowledge about their areas and the factory, while also getting to know the people. It is set up with a combination of shadowing of my colleagues and I am also managing my own work in a few smaller projects. It is very interesting to work by myself in the area which I am rotating to, and it gives me the opportunity to get to know the people in action. To give you some insights in what projects I am working with, I can say that the topics range from digitalization and competence development to talent management and global change initiatives. Complementing the smaller projects, I also have projects running through my whole rotation, and one which I will have through the whole graduate program. This creates a good balance, not making it too scattered, and still giving me the opportunity to really experience the local areas where I am situated.

Today I have talked with some of the managers here and I have also joined a cross-the-site HR meeting. A lot of things are happening. On a personal side, I am starting to get used to being constantly new in different environments. And while it is sometimes a bit tough when I feel that I don’t understand everything, it is also very nice to learn this much. The experiences I make now, I will have with me for the rest of my life. Moving around a lot in the organization also means that you get to meet a lot of colleagues, and while I have to be open and bring my energy to all new places I rotate to, I think SKF is a very easy organization to get to know new people in. The culture is very open, and I am often invited to different meetings, lunches and happenings. It is super nice, and I feel thankful every time I am in a new part of the organization and I get such a warm welcome.

Making a difference

Bringing the iPad robot to GADDEN

For me it is also important to be able to make a difference. Being new in the organization it is of course much about learning and developing yourself, but to be able to contribute is also very important I think. Working for a company that encourage people to take initiatives, empowering them to try their ideas is key. During our introduction month I think almost every senior executive encouraged us to do so. Exemplifying all their words, I later had a great experience when I proposed to bring one of our iPad robots to the student career fair Gadden at the Gothenburg School of Business, Economies and Law. I saw this as a great opportunity where the graduates out in the world could move around using the iPad robot and share their experience about our Global Graduate Program remotely, to the students, right from the reality. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how the idea was going to be received, but I was so happy when I got a lot of positive feedback and great encouragement from many of my colleagues. Together, we prepared everything, and the other graduates also made an effort to support. Such an energizing experience.

With this, I hope you have got some insights into the world as a global graduate in SKF. I hope you enjoyed the reading and I wish you a nice time ahead!

Comments Off on Exploration and experience through job rotation





Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

Fast start in Purchasing – SKF


Comments Off on Fast start in Purchasing – SKF

Hello everyone!

My name is Aline Novaes and I am part of wave 3 in the Global Graduate Program at SKF. I am originally from Brazil and I studied a master in Logistics and Transport Management at Handelshögskolan in Gothenburg.

Starting in the program 4 months ago, I spend 1 whole month with the other graduates from different parts of the world. We had the opportunity to meet several of the high-managers and directors who had inspired us with their personal/professional paths. Workshops regarding behavior acknowledgement and case solving were also part of the schedule. Furthermore, it was very interesting to have a short trip inside Sweden to visit SKF Mekan, located in Katrineholm, where we learned about casting iron components. Additionally, we had time to do fun activities after working time and discover Gothenburg. After spending this period together, we started our rotations energized, with new global friends who are the support for good and hard times

Everyone at this program starts the first rotation in their home country. I know it can be hilarious but my home country is Sweden ! Yes!! I was hired just after finishing my studies in Gothenburg.

Purchasing is the first department I am rotating and so far I have been working on two parallel projects. The first one has its focus inside both factories and it involves processes mapping, total cost of ownership, risk assessment/mitigation plan and… believe or not, an implementation plan involving all the factory stakeholders. At first sight, this project seemed to be very challenging for a newcomer and, at the same time, an opportunity to improve my supply chain skills and show what I am capable of deliverying. With help of my mentor, my manager and my factory host manager, I could set myself an action plan and proper timeline. I am still working on it and it feels great to be learning so much!

My second task is a contribution for SKF risk mitigation plan for Brexit. It is regarding how our supply chain will react considering different suppliers, factories, warehouses and clients. This is a very interesting project because is giving me the chance of working with experienced colleagues from other departments and have an overview of all aspects in such a big project. My contribution is to control overtime actions regarding risky suppliers to avoid supply chain stops all around the world. Parallel of those activities I have been trained to be a world-class buyer! I have been doing request for quotations, visiting suppliers, learning how to do internal and external analysis, participating in various trainings, etc.

Me and the experienced buyer Thomas Loong in one of our business trips.

I am not going to lie, a Graduate life at SKF is busy! In addition to the already explained tasks, we join career fairs all around Sweden to talk to students about the opportunities in the company. In the evenings, we sometimes attend to fancy banquets representing SKF. It is an honor usually a lot of fun!

Me and the other graduates – Josefin Locking and Emilio Echalar, now located in Argentina. We were testing our robot for the career fairs.
Me and Veronica Rodriguez being super fancy and attending to one of the evening banquets.

One thing that surprised me is the type of leadership culture we have in the company. So far, I have been experiencing accessible managers who shows interest for my ideas and insights. They also empower me to think and decide. I am very glad to be part of an organization that have this mindset and I feel energized every day I wake up to come to work.

In 2019, I will go for my second rotation in Singapore inside the logistics department. I am looking forward for my first time to Asia when I will spend 5 months experiencing a new culture, new ways of working and living.

Wish me a good luck!!!

Comments Off on Fast start in Purchasing – SKF



Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

The journey of a globetrotter


Comments Off on The journey of a globetrotter

Hello everyone!
My name is Alessandra, and I come from Italy. More than one year ago I was joining SKF Global Trainee Programme, and I remember very well when I was preparing my luggage ready to go to Sweden to have my introduction month with my new colleagues. So many emotions back then, a mix of thrill and excitement that comes along with every big change. I had a lot of hopes, but nothing could have prepared me to this fantastic journey that I’m having the chance to be part of.

This is me, Alessandra at the Gothenburg HQ.

After the introduction month I left Sweden with new friends, not only colleagues. I started my first rotation of 5month in Italy, and that rotation has brought challenges that I didn’t expect. I had been working in Manufacturing, and beside the two projects that I was assigned, I was also highly involved in many activities that exposed me directly to a daily interaction with one of our biggest customer. It have to admit it had been extremely tough, but incredibly satisfying at the same time.

Me and my Global graduate colleague Li from China.

 

My second rotation was in Germany, and my project in Supply Chain department. This has been a place where I learnt so much, and where I definitely and unexpectedly left my heart. I have been able to see a structured and precise way of working, and I have really understood the importance of a good team-work, and all the advantages that this brings along.

Then, time for a new adventure: India! I arrived one month ago, and at the moment I am working here in Bangalore on projects that involve cross-functional roles, from Sales, to Application Engineers, Business Development, Product development and Process Development. It is so interesting, and I am learning so many things!

On an excursion exploring the amazing nature with my Indian colleague.

 

Monkeys at the SKF site in Bangalore, India.

Monkeys at the SKF site in Bangalore, India.

This program is giving me the unique chance of rotating through different departments, giving me an insight of different functions: this provides me with a 360° exposure that is absolutely rare and unique, and is allowing me to really have a priceless experience.

It’s not always easy, you have to adapt and start from scratch every time, new people, new projects, new roles.. but it’s also so exciting that I wouldn’t change it for nothing else! It allows me to learn a lot not only about a big company as SKF and its dynamics, but also about different cultures (still have a long way to go before I can say I have understood everything here!), and last but not least, about myself. You need to be humble and tough at the same time, be determined and be also able to drive yourself your development. Nothing is served on a silver plate, and this is also part of the fun, going and getting it yourself 🙂 Work hard and have fun along the way!

I am extremely thankful and satisfied of this journey up to now, combining professional growth with travelling and, as a side effect, it also gets you friends from all over the world!

Over and out,

Alessandra

Comments Off on The journey of a globetrotter





Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

Summary of an incredible year


Comments Off on Summary of an incredible year

Hey readers! Welcome to another post about the SKF Global Graduate Programme. First, this is still the same Programme my colleagues talked about in the previous posts, it just changed name 😊

Anyway, now it’s time to introduce myself. I am Matteo Sanna, soon to be 26 years old; I’m from Italy and I was lucky and determined enough to get into the Programme. As you may know from the previous posts, we all get the opportunity to spend some time working abroad. In my case, after 6 months spent working in the Italian organization, I moved to Spain in the lovely city of Tudela.

Being in Spain I got the opportunity to work within process development and operations (I am a Mechanical Engineer, so you could guess I was happy to work within these fields) having a full operational role and responsibilities. I learnt a lot on the processes we carry out in SKF to produce bearings for the automotive market and I also got the opportunity to apply what I studied in the university (which is more unusual to do than you may think). Working within operations was cool as I got a different point of view of the production process. Living in such a beautiful country as Spain I also travelled a lot in the weekends and I got the crazy opportunity to participate to the famous San Fermin festival in Pamplona.

After 5 months spent in Spain I went to Gothenburg to gather with the other Graduates. I also had the opportunity to represent SKF at the UNITECH career fair at Chalmers University of Technology. It has been an honor to be chosen to represent my company in such an important event with a lot of talented students from the best technical universities of Europe. Coming back to Chalmers, where I spent one year of my master during an exchange programme, made it even more special.

Graduation dinner at Slottsviken – A good mix of fresh and candidate graduates

After almost three weeks in Sweden I took a flight with destination South Korea (travelling 23hrs and moving ahead of 7hrs!). I am currently here in Busan, second largest city of the country. I am still working within process development but this time I am focusing on new projects: this is great because after gaining experience on improving existing process I have to opportunity to contribute and apply my knowledge on the design of new processes. Living in South Korea is a new experience everyday, starting with the crazy traffic jams on Friday evening to the spicy Korean food. Again, I am not missing the opportunity to travel in the free time, staying in Korea or going abroad in one of the beautiful neighbors country.

I hope you enjoyed this reading, stay tuned for the next posts from my fellows Graduates!

Cheers,

Matteo

Comments Off on Summary of an incredible year



Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

Obstacles & Leadership – Global Traineeprogramme


Comments Off on Obstacles & Leadership – Global Traineeprogramme

Hello; Hejsan; Olá; Hallo; привет; Nín hǎo.

My name is Dennis Nordmark, soon to be 26y old, Swedish and a Global Management Trainee at SKF.

As you, the reader, probably already know at this point, we get to do and experience some really cool things. For example, now during my second, 6 month rotation out of three, I am the project manager (PM)for an implementation project for the factory that we have in Brazil.

Being young, “green”, ambitious and a first time project manager comes with it challenges! Especially in a new culture and with a language I do not speak, at least from the very start. Mistakes are absolutely inevitable so the only thing is to learn from them, QUICKLY. If I were to give my “two cents” to other project managers, especially new PM’s (based on my experience), it’s about STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT! Make sure you have a frequent and open communication with them so that all deliverables and expectations are aligned. It might sound like a simple thing to do, but it is easy to step on a landmine.

Not only experiencing a new work culture and project management, I’ve also experienced a national crisis! Some of you might remember when the price of crude oil went up; this escalated things very fast here in Brazil as all of the truck-drivers went on strike! You might think, “that’s not so bad”… Well for a country who relies on 99% of all their transports to be by truck, then it is pretty bad. I remember the morning of the strike when I was going to work and the line to the gas station was hundreds of meters long! I didn’t know about the strike at the time, so I sat straight up in the car seat with serious goosebumps thinking “Is this like the 1973 Oil Crisis? or is there a new war somewhere?”… Silly right? haha! This went on for about a week and a half; over 1billion chickens died due to starvation (no fodder), Military Hercules airplanes had to rush medicine to hospitals, no gas, food was getting low in the supermarkets, industries stopped due to lack of shop supply like grease & oil and much more.  This was really new and fascinating to me because it would’ve never occured in Sweden, not to this magnitude. What a great experience!

Enough of this…

There is something more interesting that makes me really “tick” at work, more than anything else. This is also the biggest reason why I applied for this position and program.

So.. what is it?

  • Leadership

Discretionary advise: These are my own thoughts and you will dip your toes inside my head.

Leadership really gets me going and lights my fire. Leadership is something complicated yet very simple and logical; often a genuine interest to help and better the counterpart(s). As leadership is my number one interest in the work environment and not being a people-manager, I continuously ask myself: “How can I practice personal leadership and be the best leader for myself, and my peers, to help drive this project/daily work forward? And in return SKF”.

Number one, is to hold myself accountable to what I think, say and promise. Even though it is difficult to always act the way you preach, it is important to do your best to walk the talk accordingly to what your leadership philosophy is and recognize when you do not. Be true to yourself.

Number two, lead by example. Set a high standard for others to follow, don’t fall into an already set standard, try to improve it. Don’t be afraid to do the REALLY boring things, it pays off.  Leading by example can also be in the very smallest of details; if you see a puddle of water that someone spilled in the hallway, go and grab a piece of paper and wipe it up. Some may say that this is also called discipline. If we can be disciplined in the small things like wiping up the a puddle of water from the floor, EVEN though there are cleaners working, this will reflect upon your behavior and set a tone to others. There is a great video about this same principal, but it is regarding making your own bed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6OoCaGsz94

Tough principles to live by, but we can at least start at one end of the rope.

Number three; believe in yourself, always! But be humble and empathetic. Listen to others as they often have some form of expertise.

 

Thank you for reading and best of luck, 

Dennis Nordmark

Global Management Trainee – AB SKF

Project Manager – Controlling & Business Support – Automotive & Aerospace

“Winners Win”

Comments Off on Obstacles & Leadership – Global Traineeprogramme



Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten (Only the strongest survive)


Comments Off on Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten (Only the strongest survive)

Me at SKF Group Headquarters in Gothenburg

Hola a todos!

First rotation

I’m Emilio from Gothenburg, Sweden. I started at SKF end of August in the global marketing team. There I did my first project, the project involved digital marketing and digital campaigns. It was super fun, I got to meet so much inspiring colleagues and other people during the various courses I did.

Me and Lisa looking for the perfect spot to do the promo shooting

Second rotation

I’m currently on my second rotation in Schweinfurt, Germany, working on a very interesting mountain bike project. I am responsible of all the social media strategy in this mountain bike project. The project is about providing our mountain bike customers with better products, this project will therefore have an impact on mountain bikers all over the world.

 

Me, Alessandra and Rasmus (also global trainees) sightseeing in the beautiful city of Würzburg

Germany as a country is very beautiful and all the people are super nice. Two things that strike me is that Germany is more analog than I thought. Most of the places don’t accept card and you pay everything with cash (restaurants, stores, taxi etc.). Another thing is the internet connection in the country, is super slow, I’m very surprised. When it comes to the German work culture the German colleagues are way more prepared during each meeting than we Swedes are, also they like quick and efficient decisions (not waiting for a consensus like we Swedes tend to do). Time is of essence for Germans, they don’t want you to be late nor to waste their time with a poorly executed meeting or PowerPoint presentation.

 

Sunset in Buenos Aires

Third rotation

For my third and last rotation, SKF is sending me to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’m super excited to see what Latin America can give me both professionally but also personally. In one way, you could say that I will experience how my life could have been if I was born and raised there instead of Sweden.

 

Un saludo desde Alemania,

Emilio

Comments Off on Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten (Only the strongest survive)





Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

One company, endless possibilities


Comments Off on One company, endless possibilities



8 Months and counting, Experience from SKF Sweden, Finland, Indonesia and Brazil
Olá para everyone! My name is Benjamin and I’m composing this small update from our factory located near the rainforest in Brazil. As a Global Trainee in SKF my new challenge is distributed across Latin America where I’m learning how we are handling our customer interaction and how to identify their needs, my next stop is SKF Chile!

A fish out of the water, from robotic to software
Working at the software centre in Gothenburg, Sweden was for sure an exciting and challenging first rotation. As a mechanical engineer previously researching robotics, my jar was empty, but to be challenged in a true agile environment suited me well. I had the opportunity take a Product Owner Certificate which helped me to assist the development of the agile framework. To receive such working experience and have the possibilities to challenge the status quo in such a big global company is very exciting!

A responsibility for the future
Managing the SKF Remote Presence had for sure been the most challenging and developing part of my journey, and still is. I’m fortunate enough to be working with state of the art technologies within digital communication, augmented and virtual reality. This technologies is used to enhance the internal and external communication. Example: the reduction of cost/time related to travel, and the increase of the operation up-time by solving disturbances faster. I consider this to be of key importance for a more efficient and sustainable future.

Over and out,
Benjamin von Schmuck

Comments Off on One company, endless possibilities





Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

SKF Global Trainee- Wave 2


Comments Off on SKF Global Trainee- Wave 2

Hej Hej TraineeBloggen!

My name is Allan Methven and I am one of the new Global Trainees at SKF! let me tell you a bit about myself and my experiences so far.

UK Global Trainees- Allan & Henry

About Me:

I am from a small town on the west coast of Scotland (If you are fortunate enough to meet me, you may have some issues understanding my accent as most people do). I studied Engineering with Management at Edinburgh Napier University while also working as an Assistant Engineer for a privately owned company within Water Sector.

Once I had completed my studies I had the opportunity to join a Graduate Programme with a large manufacturing company within Aerospace Industry. After a year on the programme and having held two 6 month supervisory roles, I was preparing to move to Wales for my final year.

One morning I just happened to be scrolling through LinkedIn and I came across the job advert for the position of a Global Trainee at SKF. While working for an engineering company I had come across SKF on several occasions as we purchased SKF bearings and also Condition Monitoring products. I had also been on training courses held by SKF in the past. Taking all of this into consideration it was a no-brainer applying for the job.

Lets fast forward a few months…

Gothenburg:

I accepted the offer to join SKF in September and within two weeks I was in Gothenburg with ten other Global Trainees from around the world meeting Alrik Danielson the SKF CEO.  I don’t think you could have asked for a better start to a new job!

                    Global Trainee’s with Alrik Danielson- SKF CEO

I  spent one month with the other global trainees in Gothenburg where we met all members of the group management team while also taking part in Factory tours to understand the manufacturing process. To me, the introduction month was a perfect way to get to know each other while also allowing us to find out more about the future of SKF. This would also be the start to me building my global network within SKF!

Where am I know?

I was hired by SKF to work within the Innovation & Business Development unit. A lot of people only know SKF for their bearings but we are a lot more than just bearings. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to tell the condition of your machine before it fails? Well, we can, using Condition Monitoring.  I am currently working at the Hardware and Software Development Centre here in Livingston where we design the Condition Monitoring products that allow us to do this. This has been a really interesting rotation as it has allowed me to understand the product development process for these products.

In addition to learning about the product development process, I have also been working on a project that is looking at we can further support the Sales & Service teams throughout SKF. This has allowed me to understand what information the Sales teams require to be able to sell these products to the market and also what support our Service Engineers require in the field. This project has allowed me to grow my global network as I am regularly speaking to Sales Directors and Business Development Managers from all around the world!

What’s Next?

At the end of March, I will head to Finland to work within the Industrial Market Sales team for five months. This will allow me to understand how the Sales teams operate in other countries. My final rotation will be to working at the Precision Bearing Factory in Italy where I will get an deep insight to how the precision bearings are manufactured!

Final word:

I hope you all the best in your careers and if you are ever in Scotland give me a shout and I will be happy to give you a tour!

Cheers,

Allan

Comments Off on SKF Global Trainee- Wave 2





Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

SKF – What a time to be a global trainee!


Comments Off on SKF – What a time to be a global trainee!

Hi everyone, and a special warm greeting to all of you aspiring future trainees out there! Welcome to another blogpost and “peek” into SKFs Global Trainee Programme.
My name is Rasmus and I am one of the trainees currently in the midst of this exciting journey. If you still have not checked out what my fellow trainee-colleagues have written here, I highly recommend you to check that out too.
I graduated from business school last spring and in late August I was one of 11 lucky to start the programme. Now six months have past since and wow- how time has flown! It feels like yesterday we gathered – from all over the world – at the global headquarters in Gothenburg for our trainee introduction month. After that, we all went back to our home country employer to begin the first of three rotations and I haven’t met many of my fellow trainees since October. Therefore, I’m looking very much forward to seeing them again in March as we gather before our second rotation.

Global trainee colleagues – from the left: Li (China), Rasmus (Sweden) and Matteo (Italy).

 

So, what have I been up to since then? Well, my home department within SKF is Group Central Finance & Business Transformation so intuitively that’s where I could have been over these first months. However, during my first rotation, I have been given the opportunity to tag along with one of the sales organizations – Industrial Sales Sweden. This has been a fantastic opportunity to see and learn about SKFs value propositions ‘in action’ and also how SKF, together with customers, work to make Swedish heavy industry more competitive in the age of globalization.

So, since October, I am spending most of my time in the Solution Factory here in Gothenburg – which is the base for the Swedish sales unit as well as some other functions, and a very nice place to work and meet colleagues from different areas

 

Enjoying a nice coffee-break outside SKF Solution Factory in Gothenburg during my first week.

With the Swedish sales unit, I have gotten the chance to work on multiple projects. Since I have a background in finance, I have been able to help develop different kind of performance measurement reports – but also things completely out of my comfort zone – like working with and assisting our brilliant application engineers. I have also gotten the opportunity to visit customers, factories and other SKF locations in Sweden.
Two months ago, I went with the Swedish management team to Katrineholm to visit our foundry there and in just about two weeks I will go on a combined trip to Lulea/Kiruna to meet with colleagues and customers way up in the Swedish north. What an amazing time this is to be a global trainee and to get the opportunity to meet and learn from so many people. No day is like the other!

Me (far left, big smile) and the Industrial Sales Sweden Management team in Katrineholm getting a guided tour of the foundry

As a global trainee, I also have the chance to represent our programme at various occassions where we meet with students and aspiring future trainees. These meetings have been both fun and rewarding experiences  – it is very enjoyable to talk about something that you really like with people who are genuinely interested and want to know more.

In November, I went to the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm (KTH) and talked to students about SKF and our trainee programme. Without a background in engineering I must admit I was a little nervous, but it turned out I had no reason to be. The students were very interested in what I had to say and gave me a warm receiving, just like I had been told by my fellow trainee colleagues who went to other student fairs over the last couple months.

Speaking at KTH, Stockholm

Next up for me is Germany. I will be moving there at the end of March for my second rotation over the spring/summer. Although I have truly enjoyed my first six months here in Sweden, it will be very exciting to go “out in the world” and see what a Swedish, world-leading technology company looks like in a different cultural setting. During this time, I will get the chance to work up close and learn from multiple functions in the organization, including logistics, renewable energy and taper roller bearing strategy.
I’ll say it again – what a great time to be a global trainee!
/Rasmus

Comments Off on SKF – What a time to be a global trainee!





Bookmark and Share

Please leave a comment - click here!

Older Entries Newer Entries