Volkswagen lauds top apprentices with awards program

The Volkswagen Group conferred the “Best Apprentice Award 2007” on its best apprentices from all over the world in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic. This year, 20 young people from 10 countries and three continents received the award. In 2006, the group trained more than 9,000 men and women worldwide.

The award certificates were presented by Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft; board member for human resources Dr. Horst Neumann; and Bernd Osterloh, president of the Volkswagen Group Global Works Council. This is the seventh time that the "Best Apprentice Award" has been presented. The ceremony took place at the Skoda headquarters on the occasion of a joint meeting of the group global works council and the group board of management.

Winterkorn praised the outstanding achievements of the apprentices and commented: "The Volkswagen Group is committed to encouraging talent. That is why we train young people at all sites worldwide, thus giving them a perspective."

Neumann emphasized that "Volkswagen needs first-class employees. Professional development is also important once training has been completed. For this reason, we have introduced programs such as the ‘Journeyman’s travels’ scheme to give apprentices the opportunity to gain experience at Volkswagen sites in other countries such as only a global company can offer."

Addressing the apprentices, Osterloh said: "It is both an honor and a duty for you to continue to progress in your careers with the Volkswagen Group." He added that, at the same time, the entire group had a responsibility "not to lose touch with these talented and committed colleagues in order to harness the great potential they represent."

The young people honored in Mlada Boleslav achieved excellence in very diverse fields. From the fitter from Györ, Hungary, to the industrial mechanic from Hanover, Germany, and the electronics technician from Uitenhage, South Africa – these 20 young people will now join special programs individually developed by the relevant Group companies. Auto mechanic Jakub Hajný from Skoda, for example, is very much looking forward to continuing his career in the Volkswagen Group: "My apprenticeship has brought me into contact with many different areas of the company and I have made many contacts."

The apprentices toured the Skoda plant during their four-day stay in Mlada Boleslav and talked to instructors. The program also included test drives, a visit to the Skoda Museum and a guided tour of Prague.