marco Sandner Mahmud Qdimati not only completed an apprenticeship at REWE Group's Central locations in Cologne, but also discovered real prospects. His colleagues had a particular influence on him: They placed their trust in him, gave him responsibility and encouraged him in his personal and professional development.

"After arriving from Syria, I wanted to build a new future for myself in Germany. Then I was given the opportunity to do an introductory training year at REWE Group and immediately found a second home there. What particularly appealed to me was that my colleagues and superiors supported and believed in me right from the start.

After the entry qualification year, I successfully completed my training as an office management assistant. Today, I work as a Category Buying Assistant at PENNY International and am gaining valuable experience in purchasing. My next goal is to develop further and take on the position of Category Buyer, which will give me more responsibility for product groups and product ranges.

The language and the new culture were a big challenge for me at the beginning. However, I overcame these hurdles with great effort. It made me stronger, more self-confident and more flexible - qualities that help me a lot in my work today."

©private Anna-Lena Christensen experienced how diverse and dynamic retail can be during her dual Bachelor's degree programme in Retail Management and subsequent Master's degree programme in Business Development Management at REWE Group. The combination of practical phases, stays abroad and a strong sense of community shaped her and helped her to discover her strengths.

"The dual study programme was no walk in the park. I was constantly familiarising myself with new areas and getting involved in new topics and tasks - in parallel with my studies. However, this curiosity and openness still characterises me today and I am grateful to have tried out and experienced so much. REWE Group is simply incredibly diverse.

During your studies, you can recognise and use your strengths and get to know a diverse company - and all this in a very short time, together with your fellow students and the other REWE Group trainees. Regardless of whether you already know exactly where you want to go in the Group or not, you can actively shape your career at REWE Group and your departments. The semester abroad and the long practical phases as well as stays abroad - if desired - round off the dual study programme at REWE Group perfectly for me.

I've grown very fond of the people at REWE Group, and at Christmas and carnival parties I always realise how big my network is at REWE Group. That's a great feeling. Great friendships have developed from my year in the dual study programme that continue to this day.

My tip: Be interested, curious and yourself! Then you'll really enjoy your apprenticeship at REWE Group."

©Michael Pröck Lennart Eick, IT training & dual study programme expert, supervises the dual students in the IT department at REWE Group headquarters

"We clearly focus on the quality of training. We attach great importance to excellent support and a strong learning environment - from day one. At the start of training, there are Welcome Days, where our junior staff not only receive all the important information, but also grow together as a group.

Each team has trained training officers who pass on their knowledge in a practical way. We also network our trainees with senior managers at an early stage to show them their prospects. Our Young Talent Acquisition & Development team is constantly developing this support - in close dialogue with the trainees themselves.

Our support is concrete: seminars on business basics, communication and office tools help you get started. We provide targeted preparation for the Chamber of Industry and Commerce exam - and we don't leave anyone on their own when challenges arise. The trainees work on real tasks at an early stage, which they find very rewarding.

We also celebrate together after the apprenticeship - with a dinner and the Top Talents event for the best. The role of the trainers has changed: Today it's more about mentoring and coaching, including remote work. It is important that everyone feels well looked after.

Personally, I enjoy the diversity of personalities the most. Everyone brings their own strengths to the table - and I find it exciting to discover them during the application day. Our trainees are motivated, committed and quickly become fully integrated. That shows me that our concept works."