Trainees make their mark
Carry out projects independently and across departments.
Training? Of course at Bode!
At Bode Naturkost, we offer a wide range of training paths. We train in in five different occupational fields in: Wholesale and foreign trade management clerks, IT specialists for application development as well as for systems integration all the way to Logistics and freight forwarding clerks as well as in Warehouse logistics specialist.
All trainees during their training go through all departments, from logistics, through marketing, to quality assurance and purchasing and sales of goods. In this way, everyone gains a comprehensive Insight into internal processes as well as into international and domestic trade. This develops commercial skills and builds social and professional competencies. In addition, it makes it clear how important communication and cooperation are, which greatly simplifies teamwork.
Take a look here at our current job openings.
Apprentice project team
Another valuable part of the training at Bode Naturkost is working together in a trainee project team. This is a team in which all apprentices in the company, from logistics and administration, work together on projects. This gives the trainees a comprehensive insight across departments. Together, they take full responsibility for handling major projects, which are initiated directly by management. This could be a product development, presenting a topic on the website, or a campaign for customers. To do this, the new 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 facilitator and minute-taker. Depending on the situation, meetings and communication can take place in person or digitally.
Get to know our dedicated trainees here:
Diyar Asif started 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 chance to get a feel for every department. I enjoy coming to work every morning because I am never left on my own with my tasks. The sense of community here is strong, and everyone is willing to help when 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 part of our trainee team since February 2023. After successfully completing his training as a warehouse logistics specialist, he is now training to become an IT specialist for systems 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 successfully shortened my training in the logistics department, I decided to fulfill one of my childhood dreams and train as an IT specialist for systems 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 that ‘learning by doing.’ From day one, I was given responsibility, and whenever it was 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 learned about 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, when dealing with customers. Because I rotate through different departments, I get to know the work-relevant interfaces particularly well, and I take away all the relevant aspects I need in order to 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, whom I am in contact with 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 with the trainee 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 can achieve personal successes, most recently as the leader of our Christmas project.”
What do former trainees say about the training program?
Wholesale and foreign trade management clerk:
“Alongside relocating at the start of my training, Bode Naturkost offered me the perfect entry point for a fresh start in Hamburg. A warm welcome at the company and the harmonious atmosphere within the team completed, in my view, a thoroughly positive working environment. Open communication, independence, and flexibility renew motivation every day and directly encourage an autonomous way of working. Motivating project formats foster a sense of personal responsibility at an early stage, as well as independent engagement with a range of topics, and yet even in difficult situations you can always rely 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. 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 in one word: TOGETHERNESS!”
Wholesale and foreign trade management clerk:
“After a few detours in my CV, I finally ended up at Bode for my training and immediately felt like part of the diverse team. You are quickly integrated into your department and valued, and as a trainee you soon get your first own tasks and projects. There is no need to fear boredom here! In addition, Bode has been willing from day one 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 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 trainees at the company, we bring 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 pleased to look at the whole thing from a different perspective and accompany a great, diverse trainee team. With the project, we not only have an important platform for exchange between trainees from different training programs, but also give them space to develop individual strengths and bring exciting projects to life. Our goal is to strengthen the trainees so they can implement their projects with confidence and creativity — to the benefit of themselves and the entire company.”
“We are eagerly looking forward to the challenges and successes ahead.”
Which projects has the trainee project team completed?
Here you can read a few examples of projects that our trainees have completed. The trainees also always take care of the Christmas gifts for employees. Based on a budget and with plenty of creativity, they create the presents that colleagues love every year.
Environmental 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 went after the trash 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 waste. And so sacks full of rubbish were gathered. It is truly shocking how much waste ends up in the Alster: in the shallow shoreline area, there are e-scooters, and also 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 a little better and cleaner than we found it!
Evaluation of Internal Sustainability
Constantly 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 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 continue 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, hardworking 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 especially threatened 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 show you the difference, we put together a small photo collage for you. Stay tuned to see how our flowering wonder develops, and feel free 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 for our Bode product, from the initial idea to market launch. 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 are outside the calibration range of whole kernels and at the same time offers the highest-quality flavor.
To do this, the trainees selected the ingredients, for example, and determined the right mixing ratio—for perfect flavor, a harmonious appearance, and to ensure the best possible price-performance ratio.
The trainees did an excellent job, and the result is a fantastic product!
