Hellmann, L.I.T. and trans-o-flex welcome new trainees

In August, it’s that time of year in Germany again when many young people begin a new chapter in their lives, leaving school behind and starting their training. Recently, the logistics sector has launched a training offensive. On behalf of many other companies, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, the large freight forwarder L.I.T., and the express service provider welcome new young talents into their ranks.

(Osnabrück/Brake/Weinheim) The shortage of young talent in logistics is enormous, and it is a good sign when young people complete their training in the industry. It is also interesting that both large corporations and medium-sized companies can offer young people an interesting and varied training period in various directions with diverse perspectives.

Hellmann welcomes over 160 young talents

(Osnabrück) In the year of its 150th anniversary, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics welcomes over 160 young talents from 13 nations in Germany alone. After the trainees were welcomed on-site on August 2 in the total of 26 training companies and received initial insights into their respective new work environments, a nationwide digital kick-off event took place yesterday.

A highlight of the virtual event was the participation of influencer Sidney Hoffmann, who embodies a lived “hands-on” mentality and is not only a prominent role model for the trainee generation but also conveyed to the new colleagues what is necessary for a successful career path: motivation and passion for what one does.

Extremely important economic sector

“Logistics is an extremely important economic sector for all of us – we realized this at the latest during the Corona crisis. However, many do not know how exciting, diverse, and international the industry is. Therefore, I am pleased to participate in Hellmann’s trainee event and show the new employees how important their job is. With their passion, they make a real difference for all of us,” said Sidney Hoffmann.

“Last year made it clear to us, with all its challenges, how important an agile and motivated team is. Our trainees are a very important part of the Hellmann team, and I am pleased that despite the Corona pandemic, we can welcome so many new colleagues again this year. Especially now, it is particularly important to us to offer career perspectives and attract young talents for Hellmann,” said Sven Eisfeld, Managing Director Germany, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

Hellmann welcomes the new trainees under the container bridge (© Hellmann)

L.I.T. breaks its own training record: 37 new young talents

(Brake) With 37 trainees, the L.I.T. Group has started the new training year with the most beginners ever. Nineteen aspiring freight forwarding and logistics service clerks, ten specialists in warehouse logistics, three professional drivers, four office management clerks, and one IT specialist for application development were welcomed by the board of the northern German logistics specialist on Monday, the first day of their training. For the first time, the Holzminden location is training office management clerks. The Germersheim location will also train clerks for freight forwarding and logistics services in the future. Rinteln is now hiring aspiring specialists in warehouse logistics.

“Despite the difficult application and hiring process during the pandemic, we have managed to surpass the number of beginners from previous years,” says Astrid Jonat, training manager of L.I.T. AG. In addition to the cancellation of training fairs and school visits, the company also had to forgo the usual large selection rounds in Brake and Bremen. Instead, interviews were conducted via video call at some locations. Consequently, the selection process took longer than in previous years. “Nevertheless, we were able to recruit promising talents in time,” Jonat continued. L.I.T. is particularly pleased that more and more women want to learn the profession of professional driver and warehouse logistics specialist. Two trainees came to L.I.T. through a six to ten-month entry qualification.

Third year organizes first day of work
The first day of work for the young talents was partially organized by their colleagues from the third year. After being welcomed by L.I.T. CEO Fokke Fels and board members Simeon Breuer, Julian Lachnitt, and Ingo Schreiber at the headquarters in Brake, where trainees from other locations were also connected, and receiving an introduction to the Corona measures to be observed, the newcomers got to know the company group, the individual departments, their processes, and finally each other. Together, they toured the warehouse, inspected the company’s own trainee truck, and had lunch together.

On the second day, the beginners had a training session on using IT systems, a seminar on quality management, information and processes related to training, and a telephone training session on the agenda. On the third day, the trainees will be welcomed by their mentors, who will closely supervise them over the next two months, and taken to their new workplace.

Training to attract skilled workers is becoming increasingly important
Training as a vehicle for attracting skilled workers is becoming increasingly relevant in light of the industry-wide personnel shortage, according to Jonat. “That is why we are very committed to providing young people not only with a professional work environment in which they can grow but also a harmonious coexistence outside of everyday work.” Numerous sports offerings and events such as barbecues or cabbage trips are also part of L.I.T.’s training plan. For this commitment to training young talent, the IHK Oldenburg awarded the L.I.T. Group the quality seal “TOP Training Company.”

Relaxed waiting for first assignments: The “New” at L.I.T. (© L.I.T.)

trans-o-flex offers additional degree programs with new partnership

(Weinheim) For the training year 2021/22, the express logistics specialist trans-o-flex has entered into a partnership with the IU International University and thus expanded its training offerings to include two dual degree programs. For the first time, two students will take courses in logistics management and real estate management starting in October. A total of 19 trainees and students will start new at the service provider specializing in logistics for pharmaceuticals, healthcare, cosmetics, technology, and other sensitive goods this year nationwide.

“Through the cooperation with IU, we can further expand the range of training opportunities at trans-o-flex and offer an additional form of study that links theory and practice,” explains trans-o-flex CEO Wolfgang P. Albeck. “The concept of IU resembles that of a vocational school, as students go to university twice a week and spend the rest of the week in the company. However, like at the Dual University of Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), it is a three-year bachelor’s program with the option to pursue a master’s degree afterward.”

Training in eight professions

The IU International University has evolved from the International University Bad Honnef, and the abbreviation IU is the English abbreviation for International University. The private, state-recognized university is based in Erfurt and has various study locations, for which trans-o-flex students, for example, are in Mannheim. IU offers English-language presence degree programs, dual German-language study programs, as well as part-time and distance learning programs in German and English. “We can imagine further training offerings with IU, but for now, we will first see how the two new degree programs in logistics management and real estate management perform,” says Albeck.

Currently, a total of 59 women and men are undergoing training or studying in eight professions at trans-o-flex. In collaboration with DHBW in Mannheim, trans-o-flex offers bachelor’s degree programs in business administration (with a focus on freight forwarding, transport, logistics), business informatics, and information technology. Traditional training is available as a warehouse logistics specialist, IT specialist, and clerks for freight forwarding and logistics services. Those who wish can also obtain the additional qualification as a logistics assistant.

Eagerly anticipating what lies ahead: The young talent at trans-o-flex (© trans-o-flex)