Closeness and reliability

Four years ago, Abdul-Mutalib Hanifi faced the toughest decision he had ever had to make in his life. Back then, at the age of 27, he had to leave his native country of Afghanistan from one day to the next.

He had already successfully completed a business degree and was working for an international company in the capital city of Kabul. However, the Taliban rejects western values such as independence, freedom and equality, and anyone living by those values inevitably becomes a target.

Abdul Hanifi and his family therefore set off on their difficult journey to Germany. The weight of that decision on the young man’s shoulders is etched in his face when he says: “I simply had to find a way.” That path led him to Germany – and to Einbeck.

Boundless hospitality

Abdul Hanifi is now in his third year of training as an industrial clerk at KWS. He not only had to overcome many boundaries between countries to achieve his dream of peace and freedom, but also cultural and language barriers. And so he studied and practiced, asked questions, didn’t give up – and repeatedly received assistance.

“I’ve met friendly and supportive people,” says Abdul Hanifi, who has difficulty putting those encounters into words. “The hospitality and willingness to help shown to me are indescribable.”

A language teacher gave him the tip that he ought to apply to KWS. He went for an interview and was accepted. Abdul Hanifi did not have a work permit at the time. And to obtain one, he had to submit certificates – which he had been forced to leave behind in Afghanistan: Going to his former university before leaving would have been too great a danger. Yet every time Abdul Hanifi thought about giving up, someone pepped him up with words of encouragement: “My colleagues at KWS have always given me support.”

Abdul Hanifi will take his final exams in 2020. To prepare for them, the young man is receiving private tuition tailored to the subjects in the exams. Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß, Training Coordinator and Head of Training for Business Administration Vocations at headquarters in Einbeck, has no doubts that Abdul Hanifi will also clear that hurdle successfully. “I have total confidence in him.” When asked what his outstanding qualities are, she replies: “He has very strong willpower, is one hundred percent motivated, yet is always courteous and obliging.”

Successful dual study model

Wiebke Brocke’s path took her halfway around the world to KWS in Einbeck. Yet the 20-year-old hails from Dassel, barely 15 kilometers from our headquarters. After finishing school in the summer of 2018, she went to New Zealand to work as an au pair. But even back then Wiebke Brocke knew she wanted to take a dual course of study in business administration. And she knew it wouldn’t be easy to capture one of the coveted places – and certainly not from the other side of the world.

Yet one evening when she had put her host family’s kids to bed and was doing some research on the Internet, Wiebke Brocke recalled her vacation job at KWS and the company’s family structure. And she found the training of her dreams on KWS’ website.

Wiebke Brocke took the online test, uploaded her certificates and was promptly invited to a job interview via Skype. The first interview went so well that a second was held.

During the third interview, in which Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß informed Wiebke Brocke that she had been accepted, there was quite a bit of merriness and partying going on in the background. “The father of my host family was celebrating his birthday,” recalls Wiebke Brocke. “After all, it was evening there.” Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß, who had just gotten to the office (there is a 12-hour time difference), advised Wiebke to join in the celebrations – because she had been awarded the coveted training spot.

Her training in Einbeck commenced in August 2019, and her studies at the Vocational Training Academy in Göttingen began in October. The young woman, who currently works in International Marketing, spends three-and-a-half days a week at KWS and one-and-a-half at the academy. The major advantage of the dual course of study, this success model Made in Germany, is that it combines theory and practice. “It’s otherwise pretty difficult to visualize a lot of the theoretical content,” says Wiebke Brocke. “But this approach means you can apply and reinforce what you’ve learned right at the company.”

The proximity between the Vocational Training Academy in Göttingen and Einbeck offers many advantages: There is the prospect of attracting interesting applicants, while the trip to Einbeck takes less than 30 minutes. That means the students remain integrated in KWS’ day-to-day work. “That’s a very important aspect in my eyes,” says Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß.

“There’s an undeniable shortage of skilled workers in Germany,” states the experienced HR expert. So you have to be inventive, she adds. Knowing that KWS is a very good employer is not enough on its own. “You have to convey that outside the company and win over recruits there.”

In addition to the “Social Day,” during which KWS trainees work in a social welfare institution, the Head of Training has also launched the “Day of Vocational Training,” where she invites interested youngsters to Einbeck: “I can speak a lot at trade shows and events, but I can’t take the training workshop, labs and greenhouses along with me.”

That’s a lot of work and effort to recruit new trainees – but it pays off. In recognition of its commitment in this area, KWS was recently presented with the “2019 Lower Saxony Award for Particularly Reliable Training.”

Experience beyond work

However, KWS wants to do more than just provide training, according to Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß: Its aim is also to help trainees widen their personal experience and horizons. She wants to bring them together across units and courses of training and strengthen mutual understanding. That is achieved through team training and other joint activities. In that way, KWS’ values such as team spirit, reliability and foresight are practiced and conveyed.

Abdul Hanifi and the others who complete their training in Germany can look forward to the big graduation party held every summer. After all, that marks a key stage in their life, says Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß. She believes it’s important that “Make yourself grow” isn’t just a snappy advertising slogan, but a deep-felt conviction – especially when it comes to training at KWS.

For example, it goes without saying that trainees can directly voice their worries, needs and problems. No one is left to fend for themselves. Abdul Hanifi has already taken that ethos to heart and shows that by giving the newcomer Wiebke Brocke a piece of advice as she begins her training: “Don’t worry – we’re a family.” |