Challenging assignments, personal growth and a close-knit community. The Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Traineeship for young professionals is 10 years old! In contact with academics at the top of their field, close to discoveries that can make a big impact, a dynamic international environment. For young starters, a dream place to start their career.
From this idea, the traineeship was set up 10 years ago by Leiden University, TU Delft and Erasmus University. This is not only interesting for the trainees themselves, the universities also benefit from young talent, especially in a tight labour market.
Maaike Snoep is the coordinator of this programme from the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus office: ‘Universities not only need good scientists and teachers, but also a strong professional staff. With the LDE trainee programme, we jointly have an interesting range of assignments for these young professionals.'
The programme is running successfully and receives a group of some 18 young recent graduates every September, spread across the three universities. After a year, they rotate to the next assignment and switch universities in the process.
Personal development through workplace and training programme
Trainees often work in operational, tactical and strategic fucnties, at faculties and central services such as Human Resources, Student Services, Data Management, Marketing & Communication, Finance, Integrated Management and International Relations. With a training programme and internal coaching programme, they can quickly develop personally and professionally. Much is expected of them, including being active in the network and on committees. This creates lively exchange.
Trainees take their experience from one workplace and university to the next.'
Snoep: ‘Trainees develop professionally, build a strong network and take their experience from one workplace and university to the next. From that cross-pollination, we as universities also learn and benefit again'.
Read this interview with trainees Charlotte and Boje
Fish in the pond and the right match
Finding the right candidates, with an affinity for academia, higher education and impact-driven motivation is an art in itself every spring. Other major employers also fish in the same pond. Over the years, the unique position the LDE Traineeship holds has been increasingly highlighted in recruitment campaigns.
Snoep: ‘Every year, the three coordinators of the programme recruit internally for the assignments at the three institutions. The trainee wants to develop with a challenging assignment, the department wants to see the added value of these highly trained professionals. During the recruitment process, recruiters and HR advisers from the three universities cooperate intensively. Together, we focus on challenging assignments and attracting and retaining talent'.
10-10-10: 10th anniversary on 10 October in Rotterdam
On 10 October 2024, the 10th anniversary of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Traineeship will be celebrated with alumni, clients and current trainees., by looking back and forward to ten years of successful collaboration! Want to know more about the activities? Follow the trainees on Instagram.
