´╗┐ ´╗┐ Your parents have probably already told you that when you take on a new job you have to start at the bottom and work your way up.But it doesn't always have to be that way. Before you start training for office coffee runs, consider that some companies start new hires off closer to the top if they've participated in management training or leadership development programs.A leadership, or LD program is like an internship, and can last anywhere from 12 months to three years. Some are offered through schools, but others are offered by the employers themselves. Some may require qualifications, but for most, any grad can apply.At Fairmont Hotels and Resorts you don't have to have an undergraduate degree in tourism and hospitality to qualify for their LD program, but it doesn't hurt to have some previous experience in either industry."The goal is to help shape and develop recent grads to create the Fairmont of tomorrow," says Carolyn Clark, senior VP of human resources "We want our new recruits to be successful leaders in our company. We'll double in size in the next four years so we want them to be our culture carriers for future hotels."Jessica Higgins, 24, a native of Halifax, enrolled in the program because of Fairmont's reputation and because she's keen on traveling, one of the hospitality and tourism industry's many perks."I heard about the program from reps who came to our school career fairs," says Higgins. "And I had heard it was great so I applied. The program is awesome and in it you're expected to be a manager. You're learning by doing and that's a really good thing."LD programs offer participants an excellent opportunity to learn about a company, Tara Bradacs, assistant manager for leadership development for Maple Leaf Foodsin Toronto."It is crucial for today's manager to be aware of how issues and decisions affect all areas of the business," Bradacs says. "The varied experiences and different challenges will prepare you for a leadership role best suited to your demonstrated abilities and where you can continue to develop."Many LD programs offer participants rotations into different departments. Rotations allow trainees to understand how the company works and what its goals are, says Laura Morris, a recruitment specialist for Ryder Canada in Mississauga, ON."It gives our trainees an excellent understanding of our business goals," Morris says. It also gives (them) an excellent look into our company's operational level goals and fast tracks them into management."Many LD programs also offer one-off seminars, like the one-on-one leadership development available at Fairmont. Or trainees can get paired up with a mentor. Maple Leaf foods has a buddy system that pairs up a students with co-workers and LD program alumni.The desired end is to prepare recent grads for leadership roles in the company. At Ryder, Maple Leaf, and Fairmont for example, grads who successfully complete their training are hired.Thanks to Fairmont's LD program, Jessica Higgins has not only learned to lead a team, she's also had the opportunity to travel. Higgins is now an assistant front office manager at the Fairmont Chateau in Whistler BC."I got so much out of the program. I wouldn't be where I am today without it," Higgins says. "I loved the mentoring and the hotel has really helped me develop." jp