Jonas Sköld
CEO/CFO Trainee

What made you apply for the trainee role at Telenor Sweden?
Being given the opportunity to have full insight into a billion euro company is a unique and exciting opportunity that statistically, only a few gets to experience in a whole life of working. In addition, after visiting assessment days of several trainee programs in different industries, it was clear that the Telenor work culture and the atmosphere is something special.

Give a brief summary of the role you have – what is it about?
My days are never standardized.Some days I am locked inside a conference room with the management team, figuring out Telenor’s strategy for the upcoming years. Other days I am preparing board material, presentations for CEO or financial performance reports to Telenor Group in Norway. One of my reoccurring tasks is “running” the management team meetings. These are biweekly meetings with the heads of all Telenor business divisions (ex B2B, B2C, Sales, Networks, IT, HR) where I am responsible (together with CEO/CFO) for what goes on the agenda and how time is allocated. This gives an amazing overview of everything that goes on in Telenor.

Being a trainee at Telenor, what’s the best?
Attending the trainee program is like being invited to a family. The network amongst ex-trainees is strong and there are always colleagues around that will help or teach you everything from how customer service works to how you roll out a new network stations. Also, you are constantly challenged (in a positive way) to learn more and to broaden your understanding of the Telecommunications industry in general and Telenor in particular.

What have been the biggest challenges so far as a trainee?
One of the big challenges is to prioritize your time. You will be asked from left and right to enter and give input in all kinds of projects and initiatives. Also, remembering names is a hard challenge. I have gotten the opportunity to meet colleagues from all around Sweden and Norway which makes it hard to remember everyone by person.

What career opportunities, short term and long term, can you see that the trainee program can give you?
Given the insights in how a billion dollar company is run from the very top is a unique experience which I hopefully will be able to use in future leadership positions. Short term, by joining the trainee program, you will be given a network and an understanding in how all parts of Telenor’s business operate. This gives you a unique toolbox to solve problems and develop the business since you can see the whole picture. Also, there are so many internal development projects within digitalization, automation, AI, IoT and Robotics that are changing the telecom industry for the future – providing a great future outlook.

What would you say to someone who is currently considering applying for trainee next year?
Consider what really challenges you and be ready to join a demanding year with hard work while having lots of fun! In my opinion, the recruitment process was also really good way to get to know the company and your future colleagues.