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Natalie Kol (2nd from left), HR Manager REWE Region South, Corinna Trier (centre), HR Consultant, and Anne Rude (1st from left), HR Training Officer, accepted the award and a certificate in Berlin. (Photo: BMAS/J. Konrad Schmidt)
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German Skilled Labour Award for the South Region
"Investment in the future"

The REWE Region South was awarded the German Skilled Labour Prize 2025 by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for its REWEkombi programme, beating 400 other applicants.

Through the REWEkombi programme, employees without training can earn their retail qualification while working full or part-time at REWE. The programme offers face-to-face seminars and flexible online seminars that fit into the participants' everyday lives and is supported by mentors.

"We see REWEkombi as an investment in the future: the programme promotes talent and develops committed specialists in one go. For the participants, in turn, it is a springboard into a recognised profession with prospects," explained Anke Krüger, Head of HR Competence Centre REWE Süd. She accepted the award in Berlin together with Natalie Kol, Head of Human Resources REWE Region South, and HR expert Corinna Trier.

Interview with Natalie Kol
"Currently the only company in the German food retail sector"

Natalie Kol, Head of Human Resources REWE Region South. Natalie Kol, Head of Human Resources at REWE Süd, on REWEKombi as a retention tool.

one: Congratulations on the award! What is behind the nominated "REWEkombi" programme?

Natalie Kol: "REWEkombi" means that you already have both feet on the career ladder and can graduate as a sales assistant at the same time. There are many reasons why people don't have a vocational qualification. Nevertheless, they are committed to working in our stores. To ensure that they are also professionals on paper, we offer them the opportunity to gain a vocational qualification while working and thus improve their future prospects. The prerequisite for this is a minimum age of 25 and at least five years' service with the company. This is because "REWEkombi" requires participants to show a high degree of initiative and self-discipline, especially in the evenings and at weekends.

one: Do we see an in-house programme like "REWEkombi" as a response to the labour shortage?

Natalie Kol: To a certain extent, yes, certainly. Mainly because we are currently the only company in the German food retail sector to offer such an opportunity. That makes us proud and happy. But I would also see it as an employee retention tool and as something we give back to our colleagues when they do a great job with us.

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