20 years of apprenticeships
04. 12. 2024
Thinking outside the box, gaining new impressions and understanding connections better: 11 RCG apprentices gained practical experience at international locations in September and October as part of ‘Europe Weeks’.
Experience abroad is important, especially in the logistics sector. After all, the best way to understand how the links in complex logistics chains interlock is on site at international railway stations, terminals and ports.
This is why internships abroad are firmly anchored in the RCG's training programme. This gives the apprentices a first-hand insight and helps them to develop personally. "By spending time abroad, our apprentices strengthen their self-confidence and gain an overarching understanding of the subject," says Head of Training Franz Heissenberger with conviction.
In September and October, it was that time again: ‘Europe Weeks’, which is so popular with apprentices, took place for the 10th time. The prospective forwarding agents spend four weeks at an RCG location - they can choose from Cologne, Prague, Budapest, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Milan or Venice. This year, 11 apprentices took part in the programme, bringing the total to 80.
The apprentices are taking a wide range of experiences home with them: "The tour of Zahony in Hungary, where the standard gauge and broad gauge meet, was particularly fascinating," says Melike Kocak, currently in her 4th year of training. "My wow moment was the intense conversation we had with a Czech train driver. Until now, I didn't realise how responsible this job is, how important further training is and what the requirements are for a locomotive to be able to run with the right driver," enthuses Sebastian Unterweger, who is completing his 4th year of training in Carinthia. Nadja Strobl and Verena Bukovnik, who are currently in their 3rd year of training, took the opportunity to expand their professional network and make new friends.
With programmes such as ‘Europe Weeks’, the RCG proves how modern and exciting an apprenticeship can be. And how good the career opportunities are: Europe and the international professional world are open to the "climate logistics experts of tomorrow"!
Curious? The RCG apprentices talk about their experiences in our podcast (in german):
