23.10.2020
Hochwald named training organisation of the year

Recognition for reconciling family and professional life

For Hochwald, ensuring family life can be compatible with a career is a high priority – from the training stage onwards. As a result, Hochwald’s site in Hungen was unanimously declared the Germany dairy industry’s training facility of the year 2020 by representatives of the German dairy industry's MIV association and the ZDM central association of German dairy business owners. Having been persuaded by Hochwald’s outstanding flexibility and quality-based, forward-looking training programmes, the jury chose to honour the company’s exemplary approach to the advancement of young people.

At Hochwald, trainees receive individual support. Incentives and opportunities for development are offered even while training through the AzubiPlus programme, with similar advancement options available on completion of training. Looking after some 100 trainees engaged in more than 14 different trades calls for a great deal of flexibility. Celine Zeimens and Joshua Müll, for example, have successfully qualified as Milk Technologists at the Hungen site; for both of these young parents, part-time courses allowed them to meet their family obligations while training, and ultimately to obtain their qualifications.

As a cooperative corporate group, Hochwald is characterised by its international dimension and focus on exports. “We are a team of qualified employees. In times of exacerbating skills shortages, investing in training to safeguard the future is essential for ensuring the long-term success of our organisation. Our training set-up is therefore designed to meet our own needs – it’s an ideal situation when young people complete their courses and continue to work for us”, says Frank Detemple, Head of Human Resources. “Giving our trainees the best possible start to their working lives is something close to our hearts. That’s we why provide not just technical training, but we also convey the social commitment aspect. Close supervision is backed up with an induction week, the AzubiPlus talent programme, private tutoring, help with preparing for exams, social projects and much more”.

This year, two other members of the corporate group emerged as prize winners: Erftstadt-based Peter Eiblmayr was nominated trainer of the year, while Selina Wassermann from the Hochwald site at Hünfeld was declared lab technician of the year for the dairy industry.

The Hochwald Group offers a wide range of training courses and work-study programmes covering many professional fields, from milk technologist and plant/machine operator to industrial clerk.

 Video zur Auszeichnung