Starting in the working world is both thrilling and daunting. For fresh graduates, it marks a huge shift from structured classrooms to fast-paced work environments, where they must navigate new expectations, expand their knowledge and experience, and find their place within corporate culture.
For employers, this is a chance to plant the seeds for tomorrow’s leaders by helping young professionals build the skills they need and shaping the workforce we want for the future. That’s why early-career development must be intentional, with structured support that addresses real challenges like skill gaps, cultural adjustment, and career direction.
At ADM, we don’t see early-career support as a standalone initiative. It’s embedded in our people strategy. From identifying potential during recruitment and nurturing it through structured programmes, to one-on-one time with leaders and career planning tools, we aim to build purposeful careers. This approach ensures we are not just hiring talent but helping them thrive from day one.
Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Growth
Young professionals today enter the workforce brimming with ambition and potential, yet often uncertain about how to navigate workplace dynamics, develop the right skills, or chart a meaningful path forward.
Without the right guidance, these uncertainties can lead to bad habits, misconceptions, or disengagement, ultimately affecting growth and loyalty.
However, meaningful support isn’t about micromanaging. It’s about creating systems and relationships that enable young talent to find their footing and grow with confidence.
So, what does that support look like in practice?
Future Leaders Start with the Right Foundation
Structure matters. Early-career talent needs clear expectations, purposeful development plans, and opportunities that build practical skills and the right attitude. At ADM, we design pathways that do exactly that.
Our trainee programmes, such as the Global Trade APAC Commercial Trainee Programme and APAC Finance Trainee Programme, identify and develop talent in business-critical areas. They combine rotational assignments, hands-on projects, and cross-functional learning with regular feedback after each rotation. Beyond technical know-how, we focus on cultural integration and bold thinking, ensuring our future leaders stay grounded in ADM’s values.
This investment is especially critical in the agri-commodities sector, where talent challenges are real. Entry-level candidates with relevant commodity trading skills are hard to come by, and competition for seasoned professionals is intense. This scarcity means companies must focus on developing early-career talent, creating opportunities for young professionals to grow into roles that might otherwise be difficult to fill.
At the same time, demographic shifts across Asia-Pacific present a powerful opportunity. Many emerging markets in Southeast Asia and South Asia are still home to large, youthful populations with the potential to shape the region’s economic future. Yet projections indicate the youth labour force is shrinking – by an estimated 9 million in Southeast Asia and 2 million in South Asia between 2023 and 2025[1]. This narrowing labour pool makes it critical for companies to act now.
To capture the opportunity, organisations must go beyond recruitment – focusing on developing and retaining young talent through regionally relevant programmes.
Leadership Makes the Difference
The role of leaders is just as important as structure. For young professionals, managers often serve as coaches, role models, and sounding boards. Leaders who are accessible, ask thoughtful questions, and create space for growth help build trust and psychological safety. Small moments – like coaching after a tough meeting, delivering feedback with empathy, or celebrating progress – often make the biggest difference.
We’ve seen this firsthand.
Take Kim Huong Tran, a finance trainee based in Vietnam. Since joining ADM in 2024, Kim has been empowered to apply her data analytics skills across different areas of the business while learning to navigate its pace and complexity. Her first rotation gave her opportunities to sharpen communication and problem-solving skills while gaining valuable insights into commercial operations.
But beyond technical skills, Kim speaks most passionately about the support she’s received from her leaders. She credits her manager for offering constructive feedback and career guidance and draws inspiration from senior leaders who encourage collaboration and bold thinking. As Kim reflects, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
When young professionals feel truly supported – through systems, culture, and people – they develop the skills and commitment to thrive. That foundation not only drives success but also fosters loyalty that keeps talent engaged for the long term.
A Strategic Imperative for the Future
Across much of Asia, preparing the next generation is part of the cultural fabric, a value often seen in family, education, and mentorship – and one that businesses should embrace. For me, as an Asian leader, it’s especially meaningful to support and empower young talent. There is immense potential here, and helping shape future leaders who will drive growth and innovation across our region feels like both a responsibility and a privilege.
Future-ready talent calls for deliberate development and a mindset that sees young professionals as future shapers, not just newcomers. Investing in them now builds careers and creates resilient organisations ready for what’s next.
[1] International Labour Organization, August 2024, Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024: Asia and the Pacific
About the author
JingTing Li is the APAC Talent Acquisition Director at ADM, where she drives regional hiring strategies and aligns talent goals with business priorities. With nearly two decades of experience, she brings expertise in building agile teams, streamlining recruitment processes, and developing impactful early career programmes. Passionate about continuous growth, JingTing actively explores emerging trends in talent and digital transformation, helping organisations stay ahead in a dynamic landscape.
