Learning at KWS
Attractive for young talents
Around 90 percent of our training spots for the coming year will have been filled by the end of the year. A former trainee and our Training Coordinator explain the recipe for the keen interest.
40 trainees began their training at KWS in August. Their places of work in Germany are at Einbeck, Wohlde, Klein Wanzleben, Wiebrechtshausen and Seligenstadt.
Premiere: Linda Utermöhle spent six weeks at the Gateway Research Center during the “Apprentices Abroad” program.
Linda Utermöhle, a former plant technology trainee at KWS, soon made her mind up. “I’m definitely going to seize an opportunity like this.” In March, she was one of the first five plant technology trainees to take part in KWS’ new “Apprentices Abroad” program. The 22-year-old spent six weeks at our Gateway Research Center (GRC) in St. Louis in the U.S.
St. Louis was at the top of Linda’s wish list “because the activities there interested me the most – the mix of laboratory, greenhouse work and genetic engineering, which is permitted in the USA.” In her three weeks in the laboratory of the transformation pipeline, she saw, among other things, how immature inflorescences of corn plants are transformed by bombarding them with DNA-coated gold particles. For a further three weeks, she was involved in crossing, caring for and harvesting plants in the greenhouse. “I had nothing to do with corn in Einbeck before and I found it all very interesting.”
International plant technology
Dorothea Borchardt and Doris Engelhardt, Head of Training for R&D, organized an extensive program as part of “Apprentices Abroad” at European breeding stations and at the GRC in St. Louis. “Breeding and research can only be done internationally, and that has to be reflected in the training,” explains Dorothea Borchardt. Linda says that she learned a lot during her stay abroad. But there was also enthusiastic feedback from the stations: All of them would like to welcome trainees again next year.
Linda also enthuses about her training at KWS, which she completed this year. “What I liked most was the diversity. You are accepted as a fully-fledged employee and are allowed to take on your first projects.”
The plant technologist was also part of the first year’s intake after an extensive restructuring: “Previously, you spent two years in one department and one year in another. Now you move on after six to nine months and so get a lot more insight into different areas.”
Just last year, KWS’ successful training at KWS was certified with the official “TOP Training” seal of Hanover Chamber of Industry and Commerce – an accolade that attests to the very highest quality of training.
“Authentic content about the training is posted on Instagram.”
Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß
Successful concept: Around 150 young people got to know KWS at the Training Evening.
Training Evening
The Training Evening plays a key role in kindling interest in KWS among future applicants. “Every year in August, we open our doors at KWS in Einbeck on one evening. We offer guided tours of the company and application checks, and those interested can also have their application photo taken or try out various plant technology activities for themselves. There’s a contest, and you can talk to the trainees and heads of training about the possibilities of training or dual study programs over food and drink,” says Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß, Training Coordinator and also Head of Training for Business Administration Vocations at KWS. Why all the effort? “We can talk a lot at trade fairs and events, but it’s hard to take the training workshop, laboratories and greenhouses along with us.” The concept is paying off: Around 150 young people came to this year’s Training Evening. Many of them later submitted an application – an advantage because KWS also secures talent at an early stage.
The Instagram account kws.ausbildung has also existed since November 2023 and offers content relating to training at KWS. It is vital to be active on social media if you want to reach young people. The Instagram channel is an independent project in the second year of training and its members meet once a week to produce new content. “We’re very proud of it,” says Yvonne Knaak-Schweiß. “It provides authentic content about the training and the employer for the specific target group of 15- to 24-year-olds.”
Early job offers
Other valuable advantages for KWS as a company that offers training: “We give our trainees the freedom to pursue their own ideas, unfold their potential and shoulder responsibility. We also offer a comprehensive program for professional and personal development. There are lots of joint activities that create a sense of unity and strengthen team spirit.” All trainees are guaranteed to be kept on for a further six months after completing their training.
Many graduates in Linda’s year were also given a job offer early on. Now a technical assistant in oilseed rape breeding, she was certain from the outset that she wanted to stay. As the 22-year-old says: “I always felt at home here during my training. I like the atmosphere at the company and the wide range of development opportunities. I’m very happy at KWS.” |
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