Dive Brief:

• A recent article at Business Insider takes a look at an executive training program at GE that is so tough only 2% actually get to the finish line.
• The 105-year-old program, which takes five years to complete, gives select entry-level GE recruits (200-300 annually) exposure to real-world audit, technology and operations jobs. Dubbed the "Green Beret" program, the ultimate goal is an executive-level job.
• The program has graduated 80% of today's GE's top CFOs, who collectively manage GE's main industrial segments, its global growth organization and GE Capital, reports Business Insider. Jeff Bornstein, GE's current CFO, also is a Green Beret grad. 

Dive Insight:

With today's increased focus on networking and mentoring, one of the byproducts mentioned in the article is the program's ability to help younger, talented GE employees connect with a multitude of senior-level executives, mid-level managers and other top performers across mammoth GE, reports Business Insider. With that, the 98% of those who never finish the program can find their way into other job opportunities within the multinational company.

"There is an immediate network effect because we have thousands of alums throughout the GE network who have experienced the program," Khozema Shipchandler, vice president of GE audit staff, told Business Insider. "Once you leave, that's the real power and beauty of it. You can leverage sales, IT, and various other experiences of people throughout the entirety of GE."