A perspective for everyone

08.10.2019 - Apprentices at Steinbeis show top performance - three of them have now been honoured by the Kiel Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the VAB Verwaltungsakademie Bordesholm. Ralf Boedrich, Ingo Ledtje and Leon Stäcker achieved top marks in their respective specialisms. This is also thanks to the training company, which favours equal opportunities.

At the end of September and beginning of October, the Kiel Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the VAB in Bordesholm issued invitations to honour the best candidates. Three Steinbeis graduates were also present. They proved themselves both in the company and at vocational school and achieved above-average results.

Ralf Boedrich had not initially expected to be honoured: "I was surprised, as my only goal was to pass the exams." The 28-year-old is now a qualified machine and plant operator with honours and is now jointly responsible for the complex machines in operation in the equipment department at Steinbeis. Among other things, he checks and guarantees the quality of the copy paper produced. His training success was initially preceded by theoretical preparation at the papermaking school in Gernsbach, Baden-Württemberg. He was then able to immediately apply the knowledge he had acquired in regular operations. "Once a week, we received further training from our trainer on how to operate the special machines here at Steinbeis."

As a wastewater technology specialist, Ingo Ledtje carries out important tasks in the fully biological wastewater treatment plant at Steinbeis. His tasks include analysing wastewater and controlling the plants in the process control system. "I'm 50 years old and have been working here at the in-house wastewater treatment plant for many years. Now I'm taking over from my boss, who has gone into well-deserved retirement. I have learnt many of his tasks and activities myself. I am the first and, for the time being, only apprentice to have learnt this special field at Steinbeis," says Ingo Ledtje. To enable him to do this, Steinbeis has given him all the support he needs, including financial support.

Leon Stäcker has already completed his training as a warehouse specialist at Steinbeis. He has now added a third year to his training in order to gain the status of "Warehouse Logistics Specialist". "I book incoming and outgoing goods, make stock corrections and regularly carry out inventories and goods inspections," explains the 24-year-old. "I'm very proud of the award. Steinbeis has played a significant role in my success with its support and trust in me."

As one of the most modern recycled paper mills in Europe, Steinbeis Papier is also committed to sustainability in terms of personnel development. Junior employees are given special support in the training and further education concept and are initially assessed on the basis of their performance in everyday training. "We also give lower-performing students a chance to prove themselves. Many of them only develop their skills with the right motivation," says Veronika Warmers, Head of Marketing, Social Media and e-Business at Steinbeis.

This year, Steinbeis was honoured by the Kiel Chamber of Industry and Commerce with the "TOP Training Company" award for its training and further education concept. The company recognises its social responsibility towards the region. Steinbeis employs around 320 people. 44 young people are currently undergoing training here or completing a dual study programme. The Steinbeis support programme includes cooperation with schools, participation in trade fairs and the organisation of job application training. Low drop-out rates and good performance from the trainees are the result of this commitment. Veronika Warmers summarises: "We are proud when our trainees are among the best. This shows that our training concept is successful."

Cover picture: Ralf Boedrich in the equipment at Steinbeis Papier