Schäflein trainees not only learn for the job, but for life

How Stattbahnhof, Rothmühle and Reichelshof sensitise trainees to environmental protection and sustainability

The Schäflein trainees 2021

36 trainees started their careers at Schäflein on 1 September. However, the first stop was not the logistics centre in Röthlein, but the Kulturhaus Stattbahnhof, probably one of the best-known locations in Schweinfurt. This year’s Welcome Days at Schäflein were all about sustainability and environmental protection. Many regional institutions, including the Stattbahnhof, the Rothmühle recycling centre and the Reichelshof environmental station, supported the logistics company in enabling the young talents to think outside the box and sensitise them to the topics of sustainability and environmental protection.

A disco feel, a pub bar, colourful walls, stickers galore and a stage – that doesn’t exactly sound like the location for the first day of training at a logistics specialist from Schweinfurt. But that’s exactly what it was: The young talents from Schäflein were not welcomed at the logistics centre in Röthlein, but at Schweinfurt’s cult location – the Stattbahnhof. And the plan of Dana Prozeller, the 28-year-old training manager, worked: Because the atmosphere in the cultural centre, which has already been voted one of the top 50 addresses in the alternative club scene and has become an integral part of Schweinfurt’s cultural life, lightened the mood and helped to break the ice. “There could hardly be a better location for our Welcome Days to get to know each other in a creative, informal atmosphere and enjoy a great get-together,” says Dana Prozeller. Schäflein’s support for the regional institutions affected by the coronavirus pandemic also played a major role in the choice of location. Stattbahnhof had to keep its doors closed for a long time during the pandemic: “We don’t know how long we can keep this up …” the venue announced on its website. So the Welcome Days were a real win-win situation.

The Schäflein trainees at the Reichelshof environmental station

The Welcome Days at Schäflein make it possible to get to know each other on a personal level, which is usually not achieved in a purely professional context. Of course, technical training and interdisciplinary training are not neglected either. After all, writing a report booklet also needs to be learnt. Nevertheless, it is just as important to Schäflein to show young people other facets and prepare them for life.

Learning to love the environment in the midst of rubbish

As the three-day introduction was all about sustainability and environmental awareness, the topics of waste separation, plastic reduction and recycling were naturally also on the agenda alongside vegetarian and vegan food. The Rothmühle in Geldersheim was the perfect place for this. Between residual and bulky waste, recyclables and problem waste, Monika Böhm-Weniger gave the Schäflein trainees an insight into waste recycling and avoidance. The trainees were amazed and also concerned about the enormous mountains of waste. This quickly made it clear how important it is to raise awareness as early as possible. How does waste separation work? Why is it so important for our environment and what happens if waste is not separated?

Further training on recycling at the Rothmühle recycling centre.

Lorries for baby bees

The highlight was the last day of the Welcome Days: as a regional information centre for future-oriented environmental topics, the Reichelshof Environmental Station was the perfect place to encounter nature with all the senses. Angelika Imgrund, head of the environmental centre, guided the trainees through the nature and environmental garden in sunshine and 20 degrees. From the garden biotope to camels, donkeys and beehives – there was a lot to see and Mrs Imgrund infected the group with her passion for animals and nature: “Humans and nature in harmony – that’s how it should be. I am grateful that we can continue our work at Reichelshof. Corona has made us fear for our existence, which is why we appreciate it all the more that such great, sustainable activities like the one for the Schäflein trainees are taking place here.”

The highlight was the construction of a nesting aid for wild bees. The “Schäflein lorry” designed by Reichelshof and manufactured in the company’s own wood workshop served as the prototype. Under expert guidance, the Schäflein trainees were able to build their own wild bee nesting aid. They were then visibly proud to hold their unique, sustainable workpiece in their hands.

This is how the lorry nesting aids for bees at the Reichelshof environmental station were made by the Schäflein trainees.