Trainees have their say

1. What was the main reason for you to join the traineeship?

Joris: When I first heard about the traineeship, I was immediately interested. After years of studying, I was eager to make the step into working life, but at the same time I felt the urge to keep learning. The ARC Talent Program seemed to offer just the right balance: a full-time work week combined with return days to gain practical knowledge. What made it even more attractive to me was the high salary compared to other traineeships.

The initial contact and subsequent conversations really stood out for me. The interviews were not only fun, but it was immediately clear that I could learn a lot here. That really sets the ARC Talent Program apart from other traineeships. I also found it very interesting that in your assignment at the client, you immediately sit at the table with the management or the board; so you immediately work at a high level within the organization.

Myrthe: I definitely wanted to do a traineeship because my studies were mainly theoretical and I wanted to gain practical experience. ARC People's guidance and contact from the beginning were decisive for me. Although initially I did not know what audit, risk and compliance entailed, it quickly became clear that this field suits me. The beauty of this profession is that it is so broad and you can go in various directions, even if you don't immediately think your background fits. The recruiters at ARC People have a lot of experience in this and gave me good insight into the possibilities.

2. How did the ARC Talent Program contribute to your personal and professional growth, and what support did you receive from your peers and managers?

Joris: The ARC Talent Program contributed significantly to both my personal and professional development. The guidance of my external coach was immensely valuable for my growth. He not only offered advice on how to handle challenging situations, but also helped me get to know myself better with his feedback. This self-insight was different from what I was used to and greatly enhanced my self-reflection.

My manager at the client gave me a lot of freedom, but was always ready to help and made sure I had the space to shape my own development. After only five months, I sometimes joined discussions with the board of directors and gave them advice. That's pretty special as a trainee within a large organization.

Myrthe: I also enjoyed the conversations with my coach very much and they taught me a lot about myself. It's really different from talking to colleagues, friends or family. Furthermore, in the client assignment, my manager was very direct and honest about my strengths and weaknesses right from the start, which allowed me to work on my areas for improvement and show what I could do. She actively involved me in important tasks and gave me a lot of responsibility, which resulted in valuable learning experiences, such as leading sessions with the management team. She was very involved in my development.

3. Do you feel you have been equal to experienced employees in terms of contributing to projects and solving problems? And can you give an example?

Myrthe: In my early days I was perhaps a little less equal to experienced colleagues, but after a while I really felt like a full member of the team. I was soon given the opportunity to work on large projects and topics, such as drafting a business continuity plan. Although I received guidance on this, I was responsible for all discussions, documentation and revisions. After my traineeship, I was immediately given an advancement plan and involved in new projects.

The fact that I now have access to the DNB portal and am even allowed to submit things to DNB (the Dutch Central Bank) is something I am immensely proud of and something few people my age can say.

Joris: In the beginning, of course, it took some getting used to, especially because I had no experience in the healthcare sector. It was a bit of a search for my place, especially because there was no definite plan yet for the trainee. But with ARC People's guidance, we managed to get everything running smoothly. I was always responsible for my own set of tasks, but I benefited enormously from ARC People's discussions and guidance. Now I have an extensive range of tasks and carry a lot of responsibility. For example, I write documents, such as a whistleblower policy, and submit them myself to the board of directors for approval. We divide tasks well within the team and I notice that my colleagues now definitely see me as a full team member.

4. In what ways did ARC People provide you with the necessary resources and guidance to successfully complete the traineeship?

Joris: The return days, especially the intensive boot camp on audit, risk and compliance, provided practical knowledge that was immediately applicable in my daily work. The return days were useful not only because of the content knowledge, but also because I was able to meet other trainees and discuss what we ran into.

Myrthe: What really sets ARC People apart is the personal approach and commitment. You really feel valued as a trainee and they are committed to your development. These personal connections are a huge motivator to get the best out of yourself. Every day I arrived at the office, I was greeted with a warm feeling. The topics during the return days, such as soft controls, were not only interesting, but also directly applicable in my work. Getting together with other trainees was also very valuable, because we were all in the same situation and understood each other.

Joris: Something else that sets ARC People apart is the culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration. You can always ask a specialist in the field of compliance or sustainability/ESG, for example, for advice. This aspect of collaborative growth is not only seen on the website, but is really tangible. The fact that we constantly share knowledge and want to move forward together makes ARC People different from other organizations and it contributes enormously to the success of the traineeship.

5. How did you make decisions about your future after your traineeship ended, and how did ARC People support you in this? For example, what opportunities were you offered to stay within the organization?

Myrthe: When it came time to make a choice, my client quickly indicated that they wanted me to stay. I then discussed this with my external coach to make sure it was the right choice for me, and soon it was clear to me that I wanted to stay. It confirmed for me that this really is a good place for me, and it felt great to receive the appreciation from my manager and colleagues.

Joris: With me, it was actually clear from the beginning that they wanted me to stay. At first I wanted to wait and see, but as my traineeship progressed, it became increasingly clear that I wanted to stay. When they made me an offer, I accepted it. It felt very natural because both parties were happy. I'm just going to continue what I was doing.

Would you also like to benefit from the success of our traineeship? Learn how the ARC Talent Program can empower your team and contribute to continued growth and success. Contact us to learn more about collaboration opportunities and start shaping your future team today. Read more >