Smart on-boarding and sound training for the intralogistics professionals of the future

Training the innovation leaders of tomorrow is an important and responsible task. In addition to excellent professional qualifications, it requires strong organisational and social skills as well as a deep understanding of the industry with its current and future challenges. And last but not least, a passion and enthusiasm for one's own tasks as well as the company's solutions and products. In order to equip young professionals with all these skills, STILL offers a smart apprenticeship and study programme. In addition to content-related aspects, topics such as cross-team collaboration and value-oriented employee management are given high priority, as well as modern work equipment, for example in the form of their own powerful notebook from day one. At the same time, the qualified programme is an important distinguishing feature of STILL in the competition for competent young talent for the intralogistics industry. "From day one, we give our apprentices and students a sense that they are part of the STILL family and that their training is of great importance to us," explains STILL Training Manager Jan Wehlen. "In addition to the technical content, personal appreciation and trustful mentoring play a crucial role in this."

Integration and appreciation from the star

Part of the STILL family - that's what the apprentices and dual students become as soon as they sign their apprenticeship or study contract, in some cases up to a year in advance. From this point onwards, the company attaches great importance to maintaining regular personal contact, allowing new colleagues to take part in internal company events and celebrations, providing them with professional STILL clothing and putting them in the right frame of mind for their time at STILL at an early stage. At the traditional Welcome Day, the company management then personally welcomes all new apprentices and dual students throughout Germany on their first day at STILL. The Welcome Day takes place at the company's headquarters in Hamburg and is broadcast live from there to all branches. "The Welcome Day is always a great start for our new intake of apprentices and students," explains Jan Wehlen. "The new colleagues are welcomed with genuine appreciation and get to experience the sense of togetherness of their fellow apprentices and students as well as the special STILL spirit.”

On-boarding made by STILL: From IT training to forklift truck construction seminar

The Welcome Day is the starting point for an almost two-month on-boarding process: In addition to technical basics, IT and safety briefings, training in handling the new work materials and a practical safety and occupational health seminar at the employers' liability insurance association lasting several days, the apprentices and students grow together intensively as a group during this time and learn to rely on each other as well as to work independently in a self-reflecting manner. Inter-professional team building, workshops and joint leisure activities are just as much a part of the programme as a professional campaign photo shoot and the annual summer party, where master craftsmen and supervisors personally stand at the barbecue and take care of the culinary needs of the young intralogistics talents.

The final highlight of the on-boarding process is the four-day forklift truck construction seminar, which has been an integral part of the STILL training programme for more than 20 years. Here, the young professionals work in small groups to set up their own intralogistics company and lead it to success at all levels - including the construction of their own forklift truck. Finally, the models are presented to a jury of STILL managers, extensively tested and test-driven. "Our forklift truck construction seminar has become quite legendary and is a highlight every year - for the apprentices and students as well as for the instructors and the jury," explains Jan Wehlen. "It is always fascinating to observe the participants' commitment, but also the many innovative and smart ideas that emerge in the course of forklift truck construction. For the expert jury, this is also an exciting insight into the intralogistics generation of tomorrow."

Sustainable employee management as a criterion for success

STILL has already received several awards and certifications for its training programme. However, the most valuable - and most lasting - award for the company is the many years of service of many employees, who pass on their wealth of knowledge and experience to the following generations. In the current training year alone, there are three instructors who themselves completed their training at STILL several years ago.

One of them is Maximilian Schwenn. He completed his apprenticeship as a construction mechanic at STILL in Hamburg in 2010 and has since gained experience in several areas and positions within the company. He also completed his further training with STILL to become a master craftsman in metalworking and a certified vocational educator and is now an instructor for our future welders. "I know from my own experience how intense and challenging the first few weeks of an apprenticeship can be - when everything is new and unfamiliar, your daily routine changes dramatically and you have to get used to a lot of things. That makes it all the more important for me to support the young people in this process and to assist them in a spirit of partnership and at eye level," explains Maximilian Schwenn.

At the beginning of September, the largest group of young professionals in the company's history started their training at STILL with 71 apprentices and dual students. The next group of prospective candidates is already waiting in the wings - the first contracts for the start of training in 2024 have already been signed. The full range of vocational training opportunities can be found at https://www.still.de/en-DE/job-career.html.