"It was a special moment for me when I got the acceptance for an apprentice position to be trained as an Industrial Business Management Assistant at Balcke-Dürr last year. This marked the end of my schooldays, and the serious side of life began.
After my first eight weeks at Balcke-Dürr, however, I wouldn't like to go back to school because I enjoy working with my colleagues and I face new challenges every day.

At the headquarters in Ratingen, apprentices learn a lot about international business operations and are fully involved in the professional routines in every department right from the beginning.
My work in the day-to-day-business enables me to get to know the operations in the company very fast. Since the power generating industry, in which Balcke-Dürr is active, is growing very strongly at the moment, there are many opportunities for further education and employment later on.

My practical training at Balcke-Dürr began in the Supply Management department. There, I got familiar with the tasks of a purchaser and the product range of the company.
Processing inquiries, carrying out price comparisons and preparing purchase orders are some of my daily tasks. From the beginning,
I received great support from my colleagues, so that my entry into working life was very easy for me. I'm already looking forward very much to getting to know the next department after my first theoretical instruction block at the vocational school."

• Is the apprenticeship as an "Industrial Business Management Assistant" actually the right choice for me?
• Is Balcke-Dürr GmbH a company that will respect and support me as an apprentice?
• Will I enjoy this work?

After having worked in the company for one year now, I can answer all these questions with a convinced yes.

I was looking for a good apprenticeship training position. I found it in a company that promotes my development as an apprentice, offers me a harmonic work atmosphere, career prospects for the future, and has up to now perfectly fulfilled my expectations of an apprenticeship as an Industrial Business Management Assistant.

Although more than one year has passed since my apprenticeship entry, my way to work every morning has not become a burden – far from it! – because variety, nice colleagues and the feeling of being a member of a big family provide joy on the job, and I don't think this will change in the future."