
After a forced break due to the pandemic, a new IHK-certified training course for fruit and vegetable quality control specialists started in May. For the graduates of the first seminar, the effort has paid off.
The subject matter is demanding, the timetable packed full. But at the end, an official certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) awaits: the "Fruit and Vegetable Quality Control Specialist" course offered by REWE Group is unique in the German retail sector. The second round is currently underway. Reason for a review and outlook.
The tester's arsenal: some of the instruments for measuring, counting and weighing
Two and a half years after the premiere, Dr Josef Lüneburg-Wolthaus and Oliver Dobusch, the fathers of the training programme, draw a positive conclusion. "This training programme in the form of a cooperation with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce is still offered exclusively by REWE Group. For some graduates of the first programme, the qualification enabled a career leap," says Oliver Dobusch, Head of Quality Management Fruit & Vegetables Platforms.
As a result, the organisers are also relying on the tried and tested for the new edition: "We haven't changed much in the seminar, just made a few adjustments," says Josef Lüneburg-Wolthaus, Head of Quality Management Fruit & Vegetables, REWE Group. The current programme, which runs until October, once again includes a challenging mix of theory and practice. From incoming goods inspection to legal basics and product knowledge. Other modules deal with the topics of declaration or the interaction between the different areas.
"The programme is tailored to REWE and its current needs and is intended to help meet the continuing high demand for qualified employees in this area," says Lüneburg-Wolthaus. In an extra seminar on "hidden defects", the participants are once again intensively sensitised. After all, it is not just since this record summer that weather conditions have had a significant impact on the quality of fruit and vegetables. And these cannot always be recognised at first glance.
As the second seminar takes place in the REWE Group fruit logistics warehouse in Wiesloch, the theoretical knowledge can be applied directly in practice, on the goods.
"Exciting look behind the scenes"
For some graduates of the first course, the qualification was a career springboard. one spoke to two of them.
Sascha Dräger
Sascha Dräger, 38: "Working as a quality controller in the northern head warehouse in Berkhof is both independent and responsible. My job is to check stock and aisles from Sunday to Friday. This includes making decisions about what to do with the goods: Can it continue to be delivered or do I have to block it? As an inspector, you also have a great responsibility towards the consumer. I worked at the head warehouse in Berkhof from the very beginning and helped set up quality assurance there. After the training course, I had the opportunity to switch to day-to-day business. It's more family-friendly than the evening business I worked in before. My working hours are now from 6 am to 2.30 pm. I would recommend the course to anyone who works in quality control. You should be committed and interested in learning about the background. I particularly enjoyed the look behind the scenes. It was very interesting to see how PENNY handles fresh fruit and vegetable inspection on market day."
"Diversity is a huge challenge"
Markus Förster, 59: "When my boss at the time asked me if I wanted to go on the course, I had no idea how extensive it would be. Cramming was not easy for me, as I was already in my mid-50s. But the fruit and vegetables product group is completely different to the dried goods range, for example, and the variety of items poses a huge challenge and requires a lot of sensitivity. Good product knowledge and years of experience are a great advantage when it comes to assessing goods as a QA officer and deciding whether to accept them or send them back. But even after 22 years in logistics, you never stop learning. I found it very instructive to familiarise myself with the new head warehouse during the training course in Leipzig. The dialogue with colleagues from other regions was also very exciting. I can recommend the course to anyone who is interested in the fruit and vegetables product group and wants to progress."

The course
What: 2nd certificate course "Quality control specialist for fruit and vegetables"
By whom? IHK, German Fruit Trade Association, REWE Group
Who? Currently 14 employees of PENNY and REWE Group fruit logistics. The target group are the QA officers (quality inspectors and inspectors), employees of the incoming goods inspection O&G and employees who are to be deployed in QA in the future
How? Attendance seminars with the modules "Legal basics", "Practical QA", "Organisation", "Product knowledge". At the end there is an oral and written examination.
Where? Fruit logistics warehouse in Wiesloch (formerly PENNY) and IHK Bonn/Rhein-Sieg training centre