Trainees get involved
Carry out projects independently and across departments.
Training? Of course with Bode!
At Bode Naturkost, we offer a wide range of training paths. In in five different professions we train for: Wholesale and foreign trade management clerks, IT specialists for application development as well as for system integration all the way to Warehouse and logistics services clerks as well as for Specialist warehouse logistics staff.
All trainees complete all departments during their training, from logistics and marketing 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 professional competencies. In addition, it makes clear how important communication and collaboration are, and this makes teamwork much easier.
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 projects. This gives the trainees broad insight across departments. Together, they take full responsibility for the entire processing of important projects commissioned directly by management. This can involve product development, presenting a topic on the website, or a campaign for customers. To do this, the newcomers meet once a week and define goals and how to achieve them. Each member gets their own task and regularly takes on roles such as chairperson and minute-taker. Meetings and communication can take place either in person or digitally, depending on the situation.
Get to know our hard-working trainees here:
Diyar Asif began his training as a wholesale and foreign trade management clerk in August 2024:
“From day one, my colleagues welcomed me warmly. It was exciting and insightful to have the chance to get a taste of all the 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 effort to create a harmonious atmosphere is clearly noticeable and helped me feel like part of the team very quickly. I am looking forward to my time at Bode Naturkost.”
Richmond has been a permanent part of our trainee team since February 2023. After successfully completing his training as a specialist in warehouse logistics, he is now training as an IT specialist for system integration:
“My brother inspired me back then to pursue training in warehouse logistics. The colleagues in the warehouse welcomed me with open arms at the start and always support me in everything!”
After successfully shortening my training 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 warmly welcomed in my new department, IT. The willingness to explain complicated topics to me impresses me every time anew. I call that ‘learning by doing.’ From the very first day, 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 start of my training, I have become familiar with my profession as a wholesale and foreign trade clerk in many different facets. With my communication and organizational strengths, I feel that I have found my place in the profession and can use them, among other things, when dealing with customers. Because I rotate through various departments, I get to know the interfaces relevant to the profession particularly well, and I take away all the relevant aspects I need in order to work independently as a skilled specialist. What I find particularly interesting is the focus on sustainability—not only in relation to the goods, but also in relation to our business partners and customers, with whom I am in contact every day. My team supports me at all times and helps me make the best of the challenges of my working day. With a similarly positive feeling, I am also able to implement new projects and exchange ideas with the trainee group every week, which is also an opportunity for me to contribute my 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 the training?
Wholesale and foreign trade management clerk:
“After moving here at the start of my apprenticeship, Bode Naturkost offered me the perfect start for a fresh beginning in Hamburg. A warm welcome at the company and the harmonious atmosphere within the team completed, in my view, an all-round positive working environment. Open communication, independence, and flexibility motivate us anew every day and directly encourage an independent way of working. Inspiring project formats quickly teach both personal responsibility and independent engagement with different topics, and yet you can always count on support, even in difficult situations.”
Clerk for freight forwarding and logistics services:
“Before this, I 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 is always there not only 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 career path, I eventually ended up doing my apprenticeship at Bode and immediately felt like 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 own tasks and projects. There is no need to fear boredom here! In addition, since day one Bode has been willing to develop not only 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 of 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 that come with an apprenticeship at this company. This experience allows us to better understand the needs and concerns of the current trainees and respond to them in a targeted way. We know how important it is to receive support while also having room to develop and implement your own ideas. Now we are delighted to look at the whole thing from a different perspective and to accompany a great and diverse trainee team. With this project, we not only have an important platform for exchange among trainees from different training paths, but also give them the space to develop individual strengths and realize exciting projects. 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 look forward with excitement to the challenges and successes to come.”
We are now pleased to look at the whole thing from a different perspective and support a great and diverse trainee team. With this project, we are not only creating an important platform for exchange among trainees from different training programs, but also giving them space 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 look forward with great anticipation to the challenges and successes ahead.”
Which projects has the trainee project team carried out?
Here you can read a few examples of projects our trainees have carried out. In addition, the trainees always take care of the Christmas gifts for employees. Based on a budget and with plenty of creativity, they create the popular presents for their colleagues every year.
Nature care with #greenkayak
Our trainee project team collected rubbish on and around the Alster in Hamburg in order to make a contribution to environmental protection. Equipped with kayaks from #greenkayak, grabbers, and gloves, they went after the rubbish both 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 aim was to win the challenge of collecting the biggest pile of rubbish. And so sacks upon sacks of waste were gathered. It is truly alarming how much rubbish ends up in the Alster: in the shallow shoreline area, e-scooters lie around, and there is one glass bottle after another, often already overgrown and only distinguishable from the 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!
Assessment 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 rethink 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 improvements.
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 for using water sparingly in the kitchen. The trainees also developed a precise concept for better waste separation. This project is designed for the long term, as we want to continue improving in these areas.
Creating an insect bed
As part of our trainee project, we planted an insect bed on our company premises. As is well known, hard-working 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 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. In addition, we sowed plants that provide shelter for native butterflies.
As sustainability is very important to us, this project is especially close to our hearts! To show you the difference, we have put together a small photo collage for you. Look forward to seeing how our blooming wonder develops, and feel free to check back with us in future to see what other projects we bring to life!
Product development "organic broken kernel mix"
From idea to market readiness, the trainee project team handled the entire product development for our Bode product Organic broken kernel mix . Here, the task was to develop a product from ingredients that are usually not used because of their size. The mix contains nut pieces that fall outside the calibration of whole kernels and at the same time offers a taste of the highest quality.
To this end, 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 of this, and the result is a great product!
