On 18 October, the time had come for this year's toom graduates to celebrate after passing their exams - after a two-year break due to the pandemic, they were finally back in person and partying.
Exciting years lie behind the 190 former apprentices, dual students, young talent development programme participants, participants in the school leaver programme and trainees. Years full of new challenges, new knowledge and newly learnt skills. And also years that were heavily influenced by the pandemic: Constantly changing measures and digital learning were the order of the day. Nevertheless, 190 junior employees managed to successfully complete their training. This exciting time has now been crowned with a fitting graduation ceremony.
Greetings from the stores and "toomlympics"
The toom managing directors and trainers honoured each graduate on stage together with presenter Frederik Fleig. An emotional extra: the honours were supported by messages of greeting from the stores to convey the congratulations of the teams and their store managers. There were also games: in the "toom Olympics", the graduates competed against the managing directors in three games with the knowledge they had gained - and secured the win with a score of 2:1.
Afterwards, they went on an almost symbolic rollercoaster ride to Phantasialand. The graduates were able to celebrate their training in style with delicious food and music. The next day was also all about thrills: toom invited all graduates to another day at the amusement park before all former graduates continued their training at toom. Because all of them will remain loyal to toom.
Promoting young talent is a top priority at toom
"At toom, we attach great importance to promoting young talent. In addition to traditional training in various areas, we also focus on other programmes that support young people on their career path at toom," explains Anke Engels, Lead Learning & Development at toom. "It is particularly important to us to support our trainees in their ideas and to prepare them optimally for their future career path," continues Engels.
Why is this graduation ceremony important to you?
Anke Engels (Lead Learning & Development at toom): "Our junior staff have really worked hard. And in true toom style, this should be appreciated and celebrated at all levels. Whether it's store colleagues, regional sales managers, managing directors, trainers and supervisors - everyone in the Learning & Development department is incredibly proud to be able to celebrate their professional success at toom with such great people."
Andreas Hemberger (trainee trainer): "All the trainees I have spoken to over the years have fond memories of the celebration. Many are proud to work for a company that not only rewards their achievements with words, but also with a celebration. This is an effect that promotes team spirit at toom. My highlights were the active participation of the managing directors in the game on stage and the fresh and humorous moderation."
Anke, what wishes would you like to pass on to the graduates?
Anke Engels: "Keep your goal in mind. Get involved where you can and give feedback. You are the ones who take a fresh look at things, and that is valuable. You are the #future shapers of toom."
Dean Sydow (graduate trainee): "I thought the party was absolutely amazing from start to finish! It's remarkable how much effort was made on our behalf. I also thought it was very cool that the management was there and joined in the celebrations. I also really enjoyed socialising with the other trainees and colleagues from the stores and head office."
Arne Flick (graduate trainee): "I really enjoyed the ceremony and the entire organisation. It wasn't a boring event, but pleasant and relaxed. The evening event was great, for example to have a Kölsch with someone from the head office or the managing directors. I think that shows how well our company policy works."
In addition to training as a retail clerk specialising in sales or logistics, a career in office management, wholesale and foreign trade, IT, real estate and e-commerce is also possible at the head office in Cologne.
In addition, toom's high school graduate programme is an ideal alternative to studying. With this programme, toom offers its trainees the prospect of becoming the store managers of tomorrow.
