Team training for a good cause

They include, for example, CNC lathe operators and foundry mechanics, along with specialists in industrial management and IT experts trained in systems integration. Our own apprentices are taught in our modern training centre, as are trainees from other companies. Given the size of the group and the different specialist areas involved, not all apprentices have an opportunity to get to know each other well in the course of everyday working life. As part of our effort to promote mutual contact and cohesion within the group, the holding of a joint team-building event for apprentices at the start of each training year has therefore become something of a tradition. Last year’s edition saw a group of thirty trainees put their team spirit to the test in the course of a sailing trip on Lake Ijsselmeer in the Netherlands. Those involved in this year’s event also came up with a special idea: our annual team training initiative is to be associated with a good cause. Kuhn Special Steel’s apprentices therefore offered to lend a hand at various local kindergartens.

The Sprungbrett (“Springboard”) children’s day-care centre in Radevormwald was enchanted with the initiative from the start, and signed up to it immediately. Despite the presence of committed staff and parents, there is always a need for extra pairs of hands for the setup and maintenance of equipment. There were plenty to choose from on the 17^th-18^th October, as many hands really did make light work. The group helped put the Mökki Scandinavian-style garden house back in position, and upgraded its drainage system to make it more impervious to water in the future. The preparation of ground surfaces, the pruning of bushes and hedges and a general tidying-up and cleaning of the outdoor part of the site created extra play areas. The wooden play locomotive was also put back into action, and an area was made ready for trampolining. The indoor area also received diligent attention in the shape of a new coat of paint for the walls.

Those taking part in the team training initiative stayed overnight at the Radevormwald Training Centre, where they participated in various accompanying games, sports and team exercises. Participants were particularly enthusiastic about the successful combination of work, play and sheer fun. The colleagues present got to know each other better, and were able to look back on what they had achieved over the two days of the event. The children from the day care centre were deeply impressed by their friendly, hard-working helpers and accompanied the team every step of the way. They even prepared a special “thank you” by way of farewell:

Photos: Kuhn Edelstahl