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Management Trainee Program recruitment campaign, 2006-2007
The Management Trainee Program (MTP) web site is being revised to reflect the changes made to the Program that became effective April 2, 2006, as part of the renewal of the Leadership Development Programs. We will keep you informed of the updates through What's new on the MTP web site.
The following questions and answers provide an overview of the MTP and should be able to answer the main questions from people interested in applying to the program.
* PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT ONLY REFERS TO THE EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT COMPONENT OF THE MTP CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AGENCY OF CANADA (PSHRMAC).
1. What is the Management Trainee Program (MTP)?
The MTP, created in 1991, is a two- to three-year training and development program geared towards highly motivated individuals who have the potential to excel as future leaders in the federal Public Service. It provides trainees with rotational assignments of increasing operational, managerial and leadership responsibility in the federal
organization to which they are appointed. This assignment component is combined with a formal learning component and support from career development advisors. Upon successful completion of the Program, management trainees are qualified to occupy middle management positions in the Public Service.
2. Who is responsible for the MTP recruitment?
MTP recruitment can be done through one of the two components: the external component and the internal component.
The Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada (PSHRMAC) is responsible for the MTP external recruitment campaign while providing support to departments and agencies in the administration of their own MTP internal component (which is open to public servants only). PSHRMAC conducts an external recruitment campaign through an
advertised process (formerly known as a competition) open to all Canadians.
The external recruitment and selection processes are managed by PSHRMAC, in cooperation with the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) and participating organizations.
3. What is the duration of the Program?
MTP is a two-to three-year program, excluding the language training period which can last up to 52 consecutive weeks.
4. What are the main components of the Program?
- Selected candidates are appointed by an organization that will become their home organization and their employer. Candidates who are not already bilingual will be entitled to a maximum of 52 consecutive weeks of full-time language training.
- MTP focuses on providing learning opportunities through assignments. Thus, participants (trainees) are provided with hands-on work experience through assignments that generally last 12 months. Participants are normally assigned to their home organization, but can also be loaned to other organizations to acquire work experience.
- The assignments are chosen according to the developmental needs of participants and the needs of the organisations.
- Performance appraisals, feedback and supervision are key components of this development program.
- Career advisors can offer support and advice on assignments, development plans and career aspirations.
- Participants benefit from a formal educational component administered by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS). Sponsoring organizations can also provide work-related training and learning opportunities.
- While not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that trainees work closely with one or more mentors.
- Networking with other trainees is another key component of the Program.
5. Where are the positions located?
Most MTP positions are located in the National Capital Region (Ottawa-Gatineau). Some positions are located in other regions across Canada. Since regional assignments are recommended, candidates must agree to travel and relocate during the Program.
6. What are the main requirements of the Program?
Candidates must demonstrate an interest in pursuing a management career within the Public Service of Canada. They must agree to undertake language training if they are not already bilingual. They must also be willing to travel and relocate during the Program. Candidates must have successfully completed a master's degree on or before September
1, 2007.
7. What happens if candidates do not complete their master's degree on or before September 1, 2007?
If a candidate does not meet all the requirements of the Program and cannot provide written certification (diploma, transcripts or letter from the institution) by that date, the candidate's application will no longer be considered.
8. What are the steps in the recruitment and selection process?
Screening process
Candidates must pass the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and the Written Communication Proficiency Test (WCPT), which are administered in mid-October, by the Public Service Commission (PSC), in various locations across the country. The results are released in December.
Assessment
A) Approximately 400 candidates will be invited to the Assessment Process. During the one-day assessment, candidates' leadership competencies will be assessed through a Structured Interview by a selection board. The Structured Interview assesses the following four competencies found in the Key Leadership Competencies Profile:
- Values & Ethics
- Strategic Thinking
- Engagement
- Management Excellence
In addition, two other competencies important for successful performance in the Management Trainee Program will also be assessed:
- Oral Communication
- Behavioural Flexibility
For more information visit The Management Trainee Program (MTP) Assessment Process web site.
B) Second-language proficiency examinations (knowledge and/or aptitude), reference checks and a security check will also be conducted.
The assessment results will be released in February 2006.
Matching
Selected candidates will be invited to a job fair (beginning of March 2007), where they will be interviewed by recruiting departments and agencies. In the following weeks, virtual matching of candidates with organizations will be conducted.
Offer of employment and start of employment (or language training)
Offers of employment will be made toward the end of March 2007. Candidates who are not already bilingual at the CBC level of language proficiency or who have not yet completed their master's degree will receive letters of offer conditional upon successful completion of the language training and/or master's degree (deadline is September 1,
2007). Only those candidates who meet all the requirements can be appointed unconditionally and begin their first Program assignment. Together, the candidate and the home organization determine the start date.
9. Can candidates choose the organization they wish to work for?
Departments and agencies have first choice. Trainees can change department or agency during the Program, providing that the new organization agrees to sponsor them and appoint them upon graduation from the Program.
10. What happens if a candidate from the external component is invited to the matching process but does not receive an offer of employment?
In the event that a candidate does not receive an offer, his or her file will be maintained in the MTP inventory (for one year) for further consideration by organizations. Should a department or agency be interested in considering a candidate, they will contact the candidate.
11. What is the salary on appointment as a management trainee (external component)?
The salary on appointment at the PL-01 group and level is $47 600 (salary subject to change).
12. What is Ab initio status?
The Ab initio status is a special status given to non public servants during their language training. They are not yet considered federal government employees and receive an allowance of $38 080, which represents 80% of the entry-level salary for the PL group (salary subject to change). Candidates with an ab initio status who successfully
complete language training (maximum of 52 consecutive weeks) are automatically appointed to the PL-01 group and level and become management trainees and public servants. Candidates who do not attain the required level of bilingualism within the prescribed time period can no longer participate in the MTP.
13. When are the salary increases provided?
Management Trainees progress from the PL-01 level to the PL-02 and PL-03 levels via promotions. After 12 and 24 months, they are assessed by a promotion board against the competencies established for each level. Management Trainees who meet the required competencies can be promoted to the next level of the PL group.
The PL-02 salary is $52 800 (salary subject to change). The PL-03 salary is $58 800 (salary subject to change).
14. At what salary level are management trainees appointed at the end of the Program?
Home organizations must appoint their management trainees upon graduation to middle management or to equivalent level positions.
15. Who pays for relocation?
PSHRMAC provides financial assistance for the first relocation to candidates recruited from the external component of the MTP. Subsequent relocations are the responsibility of the participating organizations.
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