Our AI-Chatbot is Like a Team Member
Ten apprentices attended the first SKIDATA Apprentice Meetup to network, learn together and elect a representative.
Team spirit, respect and interdepartmental collaborations—these were just three expectations that the SKIDATA apprentices had of their first meeting. The meeting started with a group lunch. They wrote their expectations on colorful slips of paper and hung them on the bulletin board. “I enjoyed the casual introduction,” says Sandra, who works as an apprentice electrical technician at SKIDATA. “It was nice way to talk to everyone, and to get to know one another a bit”.
The first SKIDATA Apprentice Meetup lasted for an entire afternoon, and from now on, it will take place twice a year. “We want the apprentices to get to know one another and for an apprentice-based community to emerge to help integrate and care for new apprentices as well,” says Teresa, the HR Business Partner responsible for apprenticeship training at SKIDATA. Ten apprentices from the Grödig and Wals locations attended the first meetup, and they work as apprentice electrical technicians, media specialists and office administrators.
After the lunch and a welcome from Andreas, Director of HR for Central Europe, the apprentices had the opportunity to introduce themselves a bit more personally while discussing their hobbies as well as what they expect from their careers. The icebreaker game that followed, in which the apprentices had to paint one another without looking at the paper, was also fun. The real work was then done in groups across a number of 20-minute workshops on topics including exercise and nutrition, learning to learn and occupational safety. Each participant had the opportunity to engage with each of the topics on offer.
Another important item on the agenda was the election of a new Apprentice Representative. Four candidates stood for election and Flavius, who is in his third year of training as an electrical technician, won the election. “I have made it my goal for the future to promote cooperation and communication between apprentices across our various departments,” Flavius announces. “Furthermore, I will also be the point of contact for every apprentice who needs support, who has questions, or who just doesn’t know what to do anymore”.
And how did the meetup turn out? “Really well done,” says Sandra. It’s hard for her to say what she like best about it. “I found it really interesting to find out what is important to the other apprentices, and what their expectations are”. Additionally, it cannot be taken for granted that a company factors into these things, and makes appropriate decisions when necessary. “The workshops at the end were also exciting, and the topics were well chosen,” says Sandra. “But I think it would be good if more time was factored in for the next meetup”.