Corporate management and corporate strategy – that sounds exciting. What does this mean?
Kevin: grAS-Workshop is the abbreviation for “large (großer) Arineo strategy workshop.” This takes place every six months. It is used to develop medium and long-term strategies for the entire company on a current topic. To get a comprehensive picture of the situation at Arineo and to work together on important topics that will move Arineo forward, all departments and teams of our company are involved in the workshop, including us trainees.
Paul-Luca: The abbreviation AUS stands for Arineo corporate management (Arineo-Unternehmenssteuerung). In the bi-weekly meetings, all relevant topics relating to the company, such as capacity utilization, new orders, the sales pipeline, or upcoming events, are discussed. The AUS is made up of representatives from various company departments. Among them are colleagues from management, sales, HR, marketing, etc., and us, the trainees.
How did you get involved, and what are your responsibilities?
Kevin: We trainees send a different person to the grAS workshop each time to represent our group. We decide together in advance who that should be. As I am in the final year of my studies, I wanted to take the opportunity to participate in this workshop.
My task was to introduce and represent the trainees’ views and thoughts in the various workshops. To prepare for this, I talked to the other trainees and collected their views and suggestions in order to best represent the group as a whole.
Paul-Luca: I appreciate how Arineo shares information and creates transparency. As a trainees’ representative in the AUS, I act as a communication interface. I bring topics from the AUS into our monthly trainee meetings and, conversely, take topics that are important to us into the AUS. I was previously involved in developing the role of trainees in AUS together with some other trainees. This role description can now serve as a guide for future trainees. Creating this role encouraged me even more, so I applied to take part and was eventually nominated. As I transition into the third year of training, I will hand over the role, as it always lies with second-year trainees.
What impact does your participation have, and what can you achieve?
Kevin: As previously described, I participated in the strategy workshop on behalf of all trainees. For example, our perspectives and interests may differ significantly from those of long-term employees, so it is important that we represent them independently. It was also my job to prepare the results of the workshop for the trainees and present them. This clearly shows that we trainees were not just observers but had a shaping role, something which is not a given and offers many great opportunities.
Paul-Luca: In the AUS meetings, I can bring up specific topics that concern us trainees – whether it’s feedback on processes, suggestions for new ideas, or highlighting everyday challenges. At the same time, I pick up important information in the meetings that I can pass on to other trainees.
In this way, we create transparency and strengthen our role in the company. It's great to see that our perspective is taken seriously and that we can really help shape the company.
What benefits or conclusions do you personally draw from participating in these meetings?
Kevin: Participating in the grAS workshop was an experience that I can definitely recommend. I was not only able to represent us as trainees but also had the chance to get to know colleagues from other departments and to understand Arineo as a whole even better.
Paul-Luca: The AUS helps me to develop a better understanding of the company’s strategic context and to play an active role in shaping Arineo. I’ve been able to significantly expand my internal network and get to know many colleagues from other departments. Above all, it’s worth noting that we trainees have a voice and are allowed to contribute – that’s motivating and shows that we are an important part of Arineo.
Does an apprenticeship at Arineo sound interesting to you?
Then send us your application. We are looking forward to getting to know you.
