Trainees get involved
Carry out projects independently and across departments.
Training? Of course at Bode!
We at Bode Naturkost offer a wide range of apprenticeship paths. In five different vocational fields we train in: Clerks in wholesale and foreign trade management, IT specialists for application development as well as for system integration up to Clerks for freight forwarding and logistics services as well as in Specialist warehouse clerks.
All apprentices go through all departments during their training, from logistics, through marketing, all the way to quality assurance and goods purchasing and sales. In this way, everyone gains a comprehensive Insight into internal processes as well as international and domestic trade. This develops commercial skills and builds social and technical expertise. It also makes clear how important communication and collaboration are, which significantly simplifies teamwork.
Take a look at here our current job openings.
Apprentice project team
Another valuable part of the training at Bode Naturkost is working together in an apprentice project team. This is a team in which all trainees in the company, from logistics and administration, work together on a project basis. This gives the trainees extensive insight across departments. Together, they independently take responsibility for the complete handling of major projects that are initiated directly by management. This may involve product development, presenting a topic on the website, or a campaign for customers. To do this, the young professionals meet once a week and define goals and how to achieve them. Each member is given their own task and regularly takes on roles such as chairing discussions and taking minutes. Meetings and communication can take place either in person or digitally, depending on the situation.
Get to know our dedicated trainees here:
Diyar Asif began his training as a wholesale and foreign trade management clerk in August 2024:
“From day one, my colleagues gave me a warm welcome. It was exciting and insightful to have the opportunity to get a taste of every department. I enjoy coming to work every morning because I am never alone with my tasks. The sense of community here is strong, and everyone is willing to help if you have questions or challenges. What I especially appreciate is the focus on team building. The effort to create a harmonious working environment is clearly noticeable and helped me quickly feel like part of the team. I am looking forward to the time ahead at Bode Naturkost.”
Richmond has been a permanent part of our apprentice team since February 2023. After successfully completing his training as a specialist in warehouse logistics, he is now pursuing a qualification as an IT specialist for system integration:
“My brother inspired me back then to pursue training in the field of warehouse logistics. The colleagues in the warehouse welcomed me with open arms at the start and always support me with everything!”
After I shortened my training in the logistics department successfully, I decided to fulfill one of my childhood dreams and train as an IT specialist for system integration.
“Bode did not hesitate to give me this great opportunity. I was given a very warm welcome in my new department, IT. The willingness to explain complex topics to me impresses me every time anew. I call that ‘learning by doing.’ From day one, I was given responsibility, and whenever necessary, I was actively guided to ensure that I produce high-quality work.”
Lars Awuley Lartey began his training as a wholesale and foreign trade management clerk at the end of 2022:
Since the beginning of my training, I have gotten to know my profession as a wholesale and foreign trade management clerk in many different facets. With my communication and organizational strengths, I feel at home in the profession and can use them, among other things, in dealing with customers. Thanks to rotations through various departments, I get to know the interfaces relevant to my profession particularly well, and I take away all the relevant aspects I need in order to work independently as a specialist. What I find especially interesting is the focus on sustainability—not only in relation to the goods, but also to our business partners and customers, with whom I am in contact every day. My team encourages me at all times and helps me make the best of the challenges in my day-to-day work. With an equally positive feeling, I am also able to work on new projects with the apprentice group every week and exchange ideas, which for me is also an opportunity to contribute my own ideas. The team supports me in this, and I am able to achieve personal successes, most recently as the leader of our Christmas project.”
What do former trainees say about their apprenticeship?
Wholesale and Foreign Trade Management Clerk:
“In addition to moving here at the start of my training, Bode Naturkost gave me the perfect opportunity to make a fresh start in Hamburg. A warm welcome at the company and the harmonious atmosphere within the team completed, in my view, an entirely positive working environment. Open communication, independence, and flexibility inspire motivation every day and directly encourage autonomous working. Motivating project formats foster a sense of responsibility from an early stage as well as independent engagement with different topics, yet even in difficult situations you can always count on support.”
Shipping and Logistics Services Clerk:
“I had previously worked in Bode Naturkost’s warehouse for six years. Due to physical limitations, I was given the opportunity to reorient myself professionally. I would describe the open communication between us trainees and management as a kind of ‘small family.’ My trainer not only has an open ear for my professional problems, but also for my personal ones. If you asked me why I enjoy being a trainee here, I could answer with just one word: TOGETHERNESS!”
Wholesale and Foreign Trade Management Clerk:
“After a few detours in my CV, I eventually ended up at Bode for my training and immediately felt like part of the diverse team. You quickly become firmly integrated and appreciated in your department, and as a trainee you soon get your first own tasks and projects. There is no need to fear boredom here! In addition, since day one Bode has been willing to promote my strengths and potential not only in everyday work, but also on other occasions. This allowed me to enroll in a bilingual vocational school class, take part in internal and external training courses, and, in addition, travel abroad for a several-week external course program.”
Natthaly Natschke and Michelle Hoppe lead the trainee project team as co-heads:“We have already experienced the trainee project team in many different constellations, starting with our own time as trainees. As former apprentices at the company, we bring a valuable perspective to our role as co-heads of the trainee project team. We know first-hand the challenges, expectations, and opportunities associated with training in this company. This experience allows us to understand the needs and concerns of the current trainees even better and address them in a targeted way. We know how important it is to receive support while also having room to develop and realize our own ideas.”
“Now we are looking forward to viewing the whole thing from a different perspective once again and supporting a great, diverse trainee team. With this project, we not only have an important platform for exchange between trainees from different training paths, but also give them space to develop individual strengths and bring exciting projects to life. Our goal is to give the trainees support so they can implement their projects with confidence and creativity — to the benefit of themselves and the entire company.”
“We are eagerly anticipating future challenges and successes.”
What projects has the trainee project team completed?
“Here you can read a few examples of projects our trainees have carried out. In addition, the trainees always take care of the Christmas gift for employees. Based on a budget and with plenty of creativity, they create the gifts that our colleagues enjoy each year.”
Nature care with #greenkayak
“Our trainee project team collected waste on and along the Alster in Hamburg to make a contribution to environmental protection. Equipped with kayaks from #greenkayak, grabbers, and gloves, they set out to tackle the rubbish on the water and on land: plastic bags, lighters, bottles, and even car tires ended up in the boat. In our small teams, everyone was motivated and having fun — the challenge was to win by collecting the biggest mountain of waste. And so sacks full of rubbish piled up. It is really shocking how much waste ends up in the Alster: in the shallow shore area there are e-scooters, and also one glass bottle after another, often already overgrown and only distinguishable from stones by their shape. For the sake of our green conscience, we will now more often leave our beloved home just a little better and cleaner than we found it!”
Evaluation of internal sustainability
Continuously improving ourselves and regularly taking a detached look at our previous approach is part of Bode Naturkost’s identity. In doing so, we also regularly reassess our internal sustainable practices.
For this reason, the trainee project team was given the responsible task of taking a closer look at our sustainability in terms of electricity, water, gas, and waste separation, and of looking for ways to improve it.
As part of this project, the team developed measures to save electricity and water, such as a checklist of what to pay attention to when leaving the office and tips on using water sparingly in the kitchen. The trainees also designed a precise concept for better waste separation. This project is long-term, as we want to continue improving in these areas.
Creating an insect bed
As part of our trainee project, we planted a pollinator bed on our company premises. As is well known, industrious insects such as bees, bumblebees, and many others make an important contribution to nature, as their work keeps our ecosystem stable.
Our insect bed is in a sunny spot so that the plants can continue to bloom beautifully in the years ahead. We chose a seed mix that produces flowers for the particularly vulnerable wild bees and bumblebees. In addition, we sowed plants that provide shelter for native butterflies.
Because sustainability is very important to us, this project is especially close to our hearts! To illustrate the difference for you, we put together a small photo collage. Stay tuned to see how our blooming wonder develops, and feel free to check back with us in the future to see what other projects we bring to life!
Product development “broken nut mix, organic”
From the initial idea to market readiness, the trainee project team handled the entire product development process for our Bode item Organic broken kernel mix . The task was to develop a product from ingredients that are usually not used because of their size. The mix contains nut pieces that are outside the calibration range of whole kernels while also offering a taste of the highest quality.
To do this, the trainees selected the ingredients, for example, and determined the right mixing ratio — for the perfect taste, a harmonious appearance, and to ensure the best value for money.
The trainees did an excellent job, and the result is a great product!
