The relationship between the graduate trainee programme and talent management in corporate organisations in Eswatini

Orientation: Research on the existence of the relationship between the GTPs and TM has been necessitated by the significant organisational resources invested in the administration of GTPs. Withal, the valueof GTPs to an organisation’s TM initiatives needs to be ascertained because both variables are applied to ensurethat future staffing requirements are met.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the graduate trainee program (GTP) and talent management (TM) in corporate organisations in Eswatini.Motivation for the study: Corporates need toexplore administering GTPs as structured processes such as workplace training and development programs so that they significantly contribute to TM.Research approach/design and method: A quantitative explanatory design was applied to carry out the study.The population was five corporate organisations in Eswatini that administer GTPs. The respondents weregraduate trainees (GTs),who met all the requirements prescribed by the inclusion criteria.Main findings: While the results indicated a null hypothesis in the relationship between GTPs and TM a strong correlation was found. The conclusion drawn is that the strong correlation (r = 0.511), between GTPs and TM, is attributed to the lack of integration and the parallel and independent administration of GTPs to TM, which invalidated a link between the two variables.Practical/managerial implications: The value to be derived by corporates administering GTPs may be elusive if the relationship between GTPs and TM remains unexplored.Contribution/value-add: Corporate organisationswill administer GTPs as effective management tools applied to ensure TM.