e-Commerce boom drives DP-DHL's new apprenticeship scheme

DP-DHL apprentices Foto: KAY HERSCHELMANN

Deutsche Post-DHL’s (DP-DHL) 2017 apprenticeship programme will focus on developing young talent to staff its e-Commerce, postal and parcel divisions.

Candidates can apply for one of 15 occupational fields due to commence next August and September and choose from several occupational fields, including technical mechanics, electronics technicians and professional drivers.

However, with ever-increasing numbers of consumers switching to online shopping, staffing the post, eCommerce and parcel (PeP) division has become a priority for the group.

As well as offering vocational training for office-based jobs such as IT and forwarding and logistics specialists, DP-DHL also provides a three-year integrated degree programme, which combines on-the-job training with classroom learning every three months. The next intake for this programme is October 2017.

Of 2,500 candidates that joined the apprenticeship scheme in 2016, 160 opted for the integrated degree programme at various partner universities across Germany.

Melanie Kreis, board member for human resources at DP-DHL, said that good vocational training provided career development opportunities for young people and an investment in the future success of the company.

Outstanding apprentices and degree students have the chance to be selected for the “Top-Azubi” talent programme in their final year of training and study, which provides additional career development support through seminars and on-the-job training, as well as the prospect of a job offer.

University students can also gain internships through the group’s JOIN internship, which provides fast-track training for 50 students, with the next course commencing in January.

There is also an 18-month trainee programme for graduates seeking to become specialists and managers within the company, with the next intake in April.