This summer, our apprentices were on the road: some went to VTG locations abroad, others worked in the VTG plants or took part in training courses at other locations. In the process, the young talents learned new ways of working and VTG topics and took on new tasks. We asked some of them how they liked it and what exactly they learned.
“We are thrilled that our apprentices are finally getting an opportunity to be posted to other locations again – and are taking advantage of it, too. For many of them, these assignments represent a big step not only out of their comfort zone, but also in terms of their personal development”
Interview
Philip Peters
Philip Peters joined VTG in August 2022 and is training to become an agent for logistics and freight forwarding services. This summer, he is spending seven weeks at VTG Rail Logistics Austria in Vienna. We asked him about his assignment abroad.
What are your tasks in Vienna?
Philip: The focus is on sales-related issues. I write freight enquiries and quotations, communicate with the locations in Poland and Hungary, and prepare consignments. I am becoming familiar with various areas of responsibility and activities here.
How do you like Vienna?
Philip: A lot! I feel integrated and included. The team is pretty small, and the atmosphere is very informal. We laugh a lot, and things never get boring. The place I’m staying at is only five minutes from the office, so I’m there very often.
The weather here in Vienna has been fantastic. I’ve been enjoying the summer a lot. The city is very beautiful, and there’s a lot to see and discover as well as gorgeous lakes to swim in around the city.
What have you learned during your assignment abroad?
Philip: In Hamburg, I mostly learned about the transport of liquid products in rail tank cars. In Vienna, I’ve been able to learn more about the industrial and agricultural sectors, too. That has been something completely new for me – and very exciting!
In April and June, the VTG RailTrain apprentices were on assignment at Waggonwerk Brühl. Melda Cil, Milad Hosseini, Dayan Kidane, Cedric Kurek and Dennis Meier from the class of 2020 and Caleb Clausen, Dennis Fugmann, Josh Gastein, Marlon Grahl, Akin Kilicli, Marvin Ogbu, Alexander Togal and Leon Duncan Baumkircher from the class of 2019 each spent 10 days at the workshop south of Cologne.
Before starting their assignments in the workshop, they all had to complete a safety training course. But then it was time for the real thing! The apprentices inspected rail tank cars, assisted with underframe revisions, and got to know the various departments in the workshop.
VTG RailTrain Head Thomas Mombrei and the trainers at VTG RailTrain have been very satisfied with – and proud of – the great work and learning progress of the two cohorts.
The verdict from Waggonwerk Brühl:
“You can really get things rolling with them.”
Impressions
Do you like the story?
