Talent acquisition and the ability to attract talents is a top priority for businesses today. The lack of technical engineering competences in Sweden affects the businesses and holds back the technology development in the far run.
Graniten, a product company on the west-coast of Sweden, are recruiting automation-, mechanical- and, electrical design- engineers. They have developed a long-term talent acquisition strategy with several initiatives to enhance their recruitment pool.
Today we will dive into one of the initiatives within Graniten talent acquisition strategy – the value of hosting students for internship.
Add value to your talent acquisition strategy with internships
the starting point for a succesfull internship
– “If you want more children and youth to become interested in studying technical engineering, so that they potentially can become one of your future co-workers, then you have to start at an early age. We collaborate with schools on all levels in the region, from elementary to upper secondary school and universities” says Sara Gustafsson, Talent management specialist at Graniten.
facing start-up problems?
There might be some arguments to why you as company shouldn´t take on students. They can be…
…the “too much to do” argument. Many companies sees internship as something that just takes time. And, of course it does. But it is also your way to spot the talents and secure your recruitment base.
…the “they learn at school instead – I´m not an educated teacher” but it´s scientifically proven that internships deepens the learnings. Professor Lars Walter at University West has done a lot of studies about work integrated learning. He insists in his conclusions that internship is essential to deepen the learning of a student.
start here:
Firstly, map the schools in your area, pick one school on each level and initiate a meeting. They will be so happy!
Start with easy actions to get you going;
- Maybe you can tell a class about your job for 15 minutes and let the students ask questions about it?
- Maybe you can host a student from upper secondary school for two weeks?
- Maybe you can have a student doing a thesis work with a problem you are facing but haven´t had time to look into yet?
Secondly, move on to internships on college or university level.
Your checklist for internships that adds values both ways:
1. Use the same recruitment process as you normally do – just a bit simplified.
A letter and CV is an important learning for a student to write, and it also helps your selection process. Invite them to have a conversation on site, so that you can show them your business and the student can say hi to some co-workers. First impression lasts.
2. Plan the onboarding ahead and pick a mentor that are a good communicator.
Students at Graniten gets an introduction plan and a mentor that takes care of them. This is basic but still often forgotten.
3. Give the student valuable tasks both for you and for your student.
No coffeemaking is allowed – or being the “run around person”. Give the students tasks that makes a difference.
4. Have a flexible mindset as employer and be eager to learn.
Students are not the only ones who learn during an internship, you as an employer can get heaps of information, new ideas, and insights. So, listen carefully, be open-minded about ideas and the questions that are being asked.
5. Build long-lasting relationships.
A student today, is a potential co-worker tomorrow, this goes without saying for all educational levels. Long-lasting relationships is being built through equality and taking care of each other.
6. Inclusion and togetherness.
Make the student feel at home and include them in meetings, staff activities, and development talks. One of the most attractive things for an employer to have is co-workers that includes others, are curious and shares their knowledge in an easy-going way.
Feedback and tips from our students:
Signe, student from upper secondary school at Norgårdenskolan, Uddevalla
How would you describe your internship at Graniten?
I liked sorting screws and unpacking goods, I also stood in the goods reception – that was fun! Peter, my mentor, was good at explaining what should be done in a clear way and that was very important for me. I intend to study psychology in the future – but this internship was fun anyway. When my internship ended, I worked one week during the school holidays at Graniten I and earned my own money.
Elias, Technical gymnasium student year 4 at Östrabo gymnasium
What makes an employer attractive?
-Variation in the job is important; I get to do many different tasks here that enhance my learnings. I want to keep on learning and get the prerequisites to do so.
William, co-op student at Industrial Engineering and Management at University West.
Do you have any mailings for students who want to intern at Graniten?
-“Learn the basic routines of the job and then start to develop. As a university student I´m very eager to learn and have a fruitful internship. At Graniten I was a part of the team – and the manager listens as much to my idea´s and input as to everyone else”.
The profit?
Recruiting talents and a good cause for the community!
– “The collaboration enables us to find talents to invest in already during their studies. We enhance student learnings by offering several internships on all levels of education. With this we make the society a favor, our branch, and ourselves. Internships is one key to your long-term planning of attracting engineering talents” says Magnus Wall, CEO at Graniten.
Curious to find out more? Contact Sara Gustafsson, Talent management specialist at Graniten
Facts about Graniten
Graniten is a global provider of machine solutions to the pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare automation sector. They are a valuebased product company with a high competence within automation, electrical design and, mechanical engineering. The aim is to become a business leader in technical solutions & innovations.
