Since August, five new trainees are now adding to the Brüning Group’s ranks: our new apprentices are starting their professional training in wholesale and foreign trade management while working in the units Fresh Wood Biomass, Agriculture, Waste to Energy National, as well as Bark and Sawmill Residues. What awaits them is a varied mix of first insights, new experiences, and practical tasks.
FROM THE FIRST MEETING TO THE START OF THEIR TRAINING
When selecting new trainees, the HR team works closely with the management. This year, too, the two COOs, Matthias Warnke and Christian Kuntze, took the time to meet the applicants in person. The focus was on identifying the qualities the applicants bring to the table and whether these make them a good fit for the Brüning Group. “It was important to us to find people who are open and communicative, curious, and keen to get involved. Our new apprentices gave us exactly this impression during the interviews, and they have confirmed it in their first few weeks,” reports Martina Brüns, Head of HR.
ONBOARDING WITH A FOCUS ON PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
To help the new apprentices understand how the Brüning Group works from the very beginning, their training starts with a structured onboarding programme. In workshops and short presentations by the non-operational units, they gain an understanding of the company’s different interfaces – from IT basics, Marketing and Controlling to Corporate Development and international business development. Practical topics such as payroll accounting and business etiquette are also covered. Afterwards, the apprentices spend around two weeks in each of the various operational units. There, they are given their own tasks at an early stage. “We want our apprentices to feel that they are a real part of the team from day one. Of course, they are supported and receive the guidance they need, but we also trust them to take on responsibility. Assuming accountability and working independently are key elements of a good training programme for us,” explains Svea Heibel from Recruiting. This also includes experiences beyond the usual office routine: During their first field visit to the Holtmeyer sawmill, for example, the apprentices were able to see a walking-floor trailer in action and gain practical insights into logistics. Hannah says: “I decided to do an apprenticeship at the Brüning Group because I could see how important the sense of community is. And that has definitely been confirmed! I’m always happy to come here in the mornings, knowing that our supervisors care about us learning and taking the initiative!” Talha also appreciates the hands-on nature of his training: “My start at the Brüning Group was really great, and I particularly liked the team atmosphere and the high level of customer contact. As an apprentice, I feel like a valued member of my Unit and have been involved from day one.”
Alongside the technical side of things, the social aspect also plays an important role: The apprentices are given the opportunity to get to know each other and grow together as a team. This year, they went to Hafenrummel for this. Afterwards, they enjoyed pizza on the rooftop terrace at our headquarters, where there was plenty of time to chat and relax. “The team event has become a regular part of the start of the training programme and is a great opportunity for the apprentices to get to know each other away from their everyday work. And when they tell us afterwards that they had a really great time, we know we have got it right,” explains Svea. Feedback from the new trainees also shows that this approach works. Joana sums it up as follows: “My start at the Brüning Group was really great and I felt well looked after right from the start. I particularly liked that I was able to get to know different tasks straight away and that the team event also gave me the opportunity to get to know the other apprentices better. I already had a sense of a family atmosphere during my introductory interview, and that feeling was confirmed after I started, I’m looking forward to the coming months and am excited to see what else lies ahead!”
TRAINING WITH PROSPECTS
The fact that it was so easy to find suitable applicants this year is particularly pleasing for the HR team. Training is an important part of our own talent development strategy, and the prospects are correspondingly good for those who successfully complete their training. “We train apprentices because we want to develop skilled professionals for the long term and offer them a future with us,” says Martina. The Brüning Group will therefore continue to offer apprenticeships next year, helping young people take their first steps into the world of work.