A trainee is an official employee of the firm that is being trained to the job they were originally hired for.
Trainee programs are arranged by private companies and public sector employers where the trainee position has a varied duration depending on the company's program.
During the duration of these programs, the trainee is expected to receive a salary as well as is expected to have full-time employment awaiting in the company when the program is over.
Often used as an insurance measure by companies, firms typically will have a trainee period where the person is still being evaluated after which an official decision to hire on a permanent basis is made.
Many trainees are able to take advantage of their contact network from the trainee program and climb the corporate ladder and become key individuals in many companies.