OUR MENTORING SCHEME – LEARN FROM EXPERIENCED APPRENTICES

My name is Marco Eckel, I am from Bad Waldsee and I am training for a qualification in IT software development with CHG-MERIDIAN. Outside work I like to spend time with friends, and I enjoy playing football.

IT – MY PASSION
I have been fascinated by computers and mobile devices since I was a little boy. Over time I learned more and more about applications and the functions of IT equipment. It soon became clear to me that I wanted to work in IT when I grew up. After my internship at CHG-MERIDIAN I made up my mind to become a qualified IT software developer. And I was also determined to become part of the CHG-MERIDIAN family.

INSIGHTS INTO DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE COMPANY
During my training I am spending most of my time in the IT department. But I also get to work in other departments, such as the global people development, financial accounting, and contract management, in order to learn about and understand the business processes at CHG-MERIDIAN. In all the departments everyone helps each other out and works very closely together. To boost the team spirit, there are a lot of communal activities, such as having lunch as a team in the company cafeteria. There are also group events, like the outing for apprentices and students, or departmental excursions with joint activities that help people to get to know each other better and to foster cohesion. And the global people development department offers seminars, courses, and other training options to ensure that employees never stop learning. Every three months there is a presentation session for the apprentices and students. This consists of two apprentices giving a talk they have prepared, as practice for their final exams. The group also works through and discusses issues that are relevant to the company, or current topics from the wider economy.

THE VOCATIONAL COLLEGE PREPARES US FOR WORK
Once or twice a week I attend the vocational college at the Tettnang School of Electronics, where I study specific IT-related subjects. One of these is Software Application Development, which teaches programming languages. Another is Information Technology Systems, which covers the basic principles of network technology. In addition to the specific IT subjects I am also studying business economics, German, social studies, and English.

THE MENTORING SCHEME
CHG-MERIDIAN has a mentoring scheme. Every apprentice is assigned a mentor, another apprentice who is already in the second or third year of their apprenticeship, and who looks after them in every respect. I also get full support from my training supervisor, the software development team leader. He helps me with my work and gives me invaluable advice. Once a week we have IT specialization, where we meet up for 90 minutes to work in-depth on IT topics. This is really useful, because it allows us to check anything that isn’t clear, and I am able to obtain valuable expert knowledge.

I can easily imagine staying with CHG-MERIDIAN in the long term, as it offers me a perfect combination of work and fun!