Pleasant surprises, and exceptional training and support. Laura has come to appreciate both these aspects of her everyday work environment as an Assistant Manager at our branch in Móstoles, Spain.
Perhaps most surprising is the fact that she’s embraced a career in the car rental industry, after completing a degree in occupational therapy at the Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid. During her undergraduate days, Laura worked part time for Enterprise at the airport. And somewhere along the way, she says, “Enterprise’s energy caught me!”
As graduation day approached in May 2017, her Manager asked an unexpected question: “Laura, what do you want to do in the future?” Laura realised she’d come to an important crossroads. Choosing a career at Enterprise was “real life – not a dream” like pursuing a potential position in the healthcare field. Not only that, but “they trusted me” to succeed at the company.
After becoming a full-time employee, the next door opened. Laura’s Area Manager encouraged her to take part in a new opportunity – participating in the country’s recently launched Graduate Management Trainee programme.
“While not new at Enterprise, this is something new for Spain,” says Eduardo, Group HR Manager for Enterprise in Spain. “There are training programmes at other companies, but the idea of [a company] promoting from within is totally new. In fact, there are few career advancement opportunities in Spain.”
A team effort
Led by Carlos, Spain’s Talent Development Manager, colleagues from across the world collaborated to customise the graduate programme’s support materials for the local market. Not only did the programme provide personal growth for Laura, colleagues benefited from her training, too. “I felt more secure when making decisions, and they relied on me when they weren’t sure how to handle difficult situations. I felt useful,” she said.
All that translates in to an improved customer experience, Eduardo notes: “Engaged employees take care of customers, and happy customers keep coming back and tell others about us,” he says. “It’s free marketing.”
Building a foundation
Following a five-participant pilot launch in late 2015, more than 100 employees have completed the Graduate Management Trainee programme in Spain – including Laura, last September.
The success of Spain’s graduate programme is a critical cog in the company’s strategy for growth, according to Eduardo. “By building our pipeline of future leaders, we are investing in our future,” he says. “Today’s Management Trainees will be our Branch Managers, Area Managers and even our General Managers – whether here in Spain or elsewhere with Enterprise.”
You can count Laura among those who truly get excited at the prospect of that career path.
“The idea of building a global presence is fantastic for Spanish employees,” she says. “By looking for ways to grow in other countries, Enterprise gives us opportunity. The company’s success becomes your own success – and I want to help move that project forward!
Explore the graduate opportunities Enterprise has to offer across Europe: France, Spain and Germany.