Trainees help shape things
Carry out projects independently and across departments.
Training? Of course at Bode!
At Bode Naturkost, we offer a wide range of training paths. We seven different occupational fields train apprentices in clerk in wholesale and foreign trade management, through the clerk in e-commerce, theIT specialist in application development as well as in systems integration, all the way to the clerk in freight forwarding and logistics services and to the warehouse specialists. The dual study program in electrical and information engineering is also part of the training program.
Every apprentice goes through all departments during their training, from logistics to marketing, and all the way to quality assurance and the purchasing and sale of goods. In this way, everyone gains a well-rounded Insight into the internal processes as well as into international and domestic trade. This develops commercial skills and builds social and professional competencies. In addition, it becomes clear how important communication and cooperation are, which makes teamwork much easier.
Take a look 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 at the company, from logistics and administration, work together on projects. This gives the trainees extensive insight across departments. Together, they independently take responsibility for the complete handling process of major projects that are initiated directly by management. This can be a product development, the presentation of 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 implement them. Each member gets their own task and regularly takes on roles such as discussion leader and minute-taker. Meetings and communication can take place in person or digitally, depending on the situation.
Meet our energetic apprentices here:
Diyar Asif started his training as a clerk in wholesale and foreign trade management in August 2024:
“From the very first day, my colleagues gave me a warm welcome. It was exciting and insightful to have the opportunity to get a feel for all departments. 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 particularly appreciate is the focus on team building. The efforts to create a harmonious working environment are clearly noticeable and helped me feel like part of the team very quickly. I am looking forward to the time ahead at Bode Naturkost.”
Richmond has been a permanent member of our trainee team since February 2023. He is training as a specialist in warehouse logistics and, in addition, as an IT specialist in system integration:
“My brother inspired me back then to pursue an apprenticeship in warehouse logistics. The colleagues in the warehouse welcomed me with open arms when I started and always support me with everything!”
After successfully shortening my apprenticeship in the logistics department, I decided to make one of my childhood dreams come true 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 complicated topics to me impresses me again and again. I call it “learning by doing.” From the very first day, I was given responsibility, and whenever necessary, I received active guidance to ensure that I produce high-quality work. “
Lars Awuley Lartey began his apprenticeship as a wholesale and foreign trade management clerk at the end of 2022:
“Since the start of my apprenticeship, 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 job and can use them, among other things, when dealing with customers. Thanks to rotating through different departments, I get to know the relevant interfaces for the profession particularly well, and I take away all the relevant aspects so that I can work independently as a specialist. What I find particularly interesting is the focus on sustainability — not only with regard to the goods, but also with regard to our business partners and customers, with whom I am in daily contact. My team always encourages me and helps me make the most of the challenges of my working day. With a similarly positive feeling, I also get to work on new projects every week with the trainee group and exchange ideas, which is also an opportunity for me to contribute my own ideas. The team supports me in this, and I can achieve personal successes, such as most recently when I led our Christmas project.”
What do former apprentices say about the training?
Wholesale and foreign trade management clerk:
“Alongside my move at the start of my apprenticeship, Bode Naturkost offered me the perfect start to a fresh beginning in Hamburg. A warm welcome at the company and the harmonious atmosphere within the team rounded off, in my eyes, a thoroughly positive working environment. Open communication, independence, and flexibility motivate me every day anew and directly encourage an independent way of working. Motivating project formats lead early on to the development of both personal responsibility and independent engagement with various topics, and yet even in problematic situations you can rely on all kinds of support.”
Freight forwarding and logistics services clerk:
“I previously worked in Bode Naturkost’s warehouse for six years. Because of physical limitations, I was given the opportunity to reorient myself. 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 someone were to ask 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 finally ended up doing my apprenticeship at Bode and immediately had the feeling of being part of the diverse team. You are quickly fully integrated into your department and appreciated, and even as a trainee you soon get your first tasks and projects of your own. There’s no need to fear boredom here! In addition, Bode has been ready from day one not only to support my strengths and potential 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 sessions, and even travel abroad for a multi-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 firsthand the challenges, expectations, and opportunities associated with an apprenticeship at this company. This experience enables us to understand the needs and concerns of the current trainees even better and respond to them in a targeted way. We know how important it is to receive support while also having the freedom to develop and realize your own ideas.”
“Now we are looking forward to viewing the whole thing from a different perspective once again and supporting a great and diverse trainee team. With the project, we not only provide an important platform for exchange among trainees from different training paths, but also give them room to develop individual strengths and bring exciting projects to life. Our goal is to strengthen the trainees so that they can implement their projects with confidence and creativity — to the benefit of themselves and the entire company.”
“We are eagerly anticipating the challenges and successes ahead.”
Which projects did the apprentice project team complete?
Here you can read a few examples of projects that our trainees have carried out. The trainees also always take care of the Christmas gift for employees. Based on a budget and with plenty of creativity, they create the gifts that are popular with their colleagues every year.
Nature care with #greenkayak
Our trainee project team collected litter on and along the Alster in Hamburg to make a contribution to environmental protection. Equipped with kayaks from #greenkayak, grabbers, and gloves, they tackled 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 pile of rubbish. And so sackfuls of waste were gathered. It is truly shocking how much rubbish ends up in the Alster: in the shallow shoreline area, there are e-scooters, and glass bottles one after another, often already overgrown and distinguishable from the stones only by their shape. For the sake of our green conscience and in the spirit of sustainability, we are striving for a greener future and will now more often leave our beloved home just a little bit better and cleaner than we found it!
Assessment of internal sustainability
Continuously improving ourselves and regularly taking a critical look at our previous approach is part of Bode Naturkost’s identity. Since sustainability is our top priority, 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 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 designed for the long term, as we want to keep improving in these areas.
Creating an insect bed
As part of our trainee project, we planted an insect bed on our company grounds. 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 particularly endangered wild bees and bumblebees. We also sowed plants that provide shelter for native butterflies.
Since sustainability is something we care deeply about, this project is especially close to our hearts! To show you the difference, we created a small photo collage for you. Stay tuned to see how our blooming wonder develops, and be sure to check back in the future to see what other projects we bring to life!
Product development “broken kernel mix organic”
The trainee project team handled the entire product development of our Bode item, from idea to market readiness. Organic broken kernel mix Here, the task was to develop an item that stands for sustainability. The blend contains broken nut pieces that fall outside the calibration of whole kernels while still offering a taste of the highest quality.
To do this, the trainees selected the ingredients and determined the right mixing ratio—for the perfect taste, a harmonious appearance, and the best possible value for money.
The trainees did an outstanding job, and the result is a fantastic product!
