At the award ceremony, Diess said: “You are the 49 best apprentices from 20 countries in a Group with more than 19,000 apprentices. That is a great achievement. We are very proud of you. You have completed your apprenticeship at a time when our industry is changing drastically. I would like you to play an active role in shaping this transformation. You need to argue, persuade and overcome resistance. Stand up for your future and the future of Volkswagen.“
Gunnar Kilian said: ”At Volkswagen, we place considerable value on excellent training for young specialists. We want young people to firmly grasp opportunities. We support them in their efforts and offer training in about 60 vocations, with 50 dual courses of study throughout the world. In an era of rapid technological change, a solid training is more important than ever before. It is the firm foundation which you can build on to repeatedly develop new knowledge and expertise in a sustainable way.”
The 12 young women and 37 young men were honored at a ceremony held in the hall at Hafen1 at the Volkswagen facilities in Wolfsburg.
Osterloh said: “The Works Council congratulates the Volkswagen Group’s best apprentices. With their strong performance, they have taken the lead worldwide – just as our Group is doing. Nowadays, in an era of upheavals, we need motivated employees like you more than ever before. The presentation of awards to our best apprentices throughout the world is also a success for our strong vocational training and the training system of the Volkswagen Group. Vocational training develops and shapes tomorrow’s specialists. Every euro that we invest in training brings tenfold returns in other fields.”
49 award-winners had already been honored in their home countries for their commitment to their companies and for their knowledge and skills in their training vocations. 21 of the Best Apprentice Award winners will be starting a degree course to develop their knowledge and skills in greater depth. In addition, two young specialists will receive study grants. Three of the award-winners from Germany will be receiving two years of individual support in their professional family within the “talent group for young specialists”.