Excellent training quality

The mandatory criteria for the vocational orientation: These regulations aim at activities with which we approach youths in their vocational orientation during the school years. For example, we are heavily committed in the area of student internships. In addition, there are close cooperations with schools. This reveals students perspectives into the training opportunities that we offer.

The mandatory criteria for the training: We have to comply with legal regulations. This was tested in the same way as adherence to specifications for the respective training as well as the regulations of the Directive on the Protection of Young People at Work. It was also checked which social standards apply to us. Two examples: The remuneration for apprentices is regulated collectively by S-Bahn Berlin. In addition, we offer 28 days of vacation a year.

Three to four months before the end of the apprenticeship you will receive your contract. That gives you planning security. We understand it as a sign of appreciation. But one thing is clear: the contract is only valid if you pass your exam – the pass rate of S-Bahn apprentices is very good, by the way.

The voluntary criteria for obtaining the seal: But it does not end with the mandatory criteria. We also showed the IHK Berlin, which activities we do on our part, in order to facilitate the start of the training.

• Your contact persons would be the junior staff coordinator Michael Hallmann and the two training specialist coordinators Astrid Kälisch and René Dohrmann. They all are a well-rehearsed team that has acquired a lot of know-how during many years of work. For you, that would be a threefold advantage.
• New to the team is a social pedagogist: on Fridays she is on-site and develops with you solution strategies when problems arise. Possible topics are: bureaucratic affairs, finding a flat, test anxiety, problems in the training group or with the instructor.
• As part of the trainee start seminar, we drive to Wernigerode to the Harz narrowggauge-railroad - a good opportunity to get to know the colleagues of your training year closer.
• At the ESV Lok Schöneweide (a sports club with a focus on railway employees) right next to the Schöneweide depot, you could enjoy many sports activities.
• We promote regular project work with a focus on social learning, for example we have built a Kita-football playing field. Currently, an old East German moped for an auction worked up. The money raised will be used for social projects and future projects for us.
• On December 1st, World AIDS Day takes place annually. On this day we take a decorated train through the city to collect donations for the Berlin AIDS Service Organization (Berliner Aidshilfe). In 2019, our trainees will be preparing this event.
• Once a year we dedicate ourselves to the Bahnhofsmission, a German aid organisation located at more than a hundred railway stations. As part of the preparation week for future train drivers we help, for example, in the clothing store, cutting vegetables and giving out food.
• Digitalization is important to us: That's why we hand out a tablet to every apprentice. You can use it for work and privately. Much of the teaching material is provided digitally.
• Very popular among our trainees is the voluntary one-month internship abroad. Here you would stay with a host family and could work on site.

We hope your little excursion into apprentice life at S-Bahn Berlin has felt good, and we've been able to show you why this "Excellent Quality of Education" seal is more than just a piece of paper.

We are convinced that as a company we can only be successful in the future if we have appropriately qualified employees. And that starts with well-trained apprentices ...