Volkswagen Group SA apprentices honoured in Germany

The accolades for performance excellence and specialist competence during vocational training, were presented to Volkswagen Group's young employees from 15 different countries around the world. In recognition of their achievements, the award winners were invited to Germany to participate in an exciting programme spanning several days.

After a stringent internal selection process - where competency, efficiency and initiative were evaluated - the applicants were shortlisted and thereafter assessed through interviews.

"Working at VWSA and being surrounded by such talented and knowledgeable colleagues, has allowed me to grow and develop in my chosen field. Also being exposed to challenging projects, has given me the confidence to tackle any task thrown my way," says Naidoo.

Naidoo started working at VWSA in 2012 as a graduate trainee in the Industrial Engineering Department and has worked on crucial productivity improvement projects. She has introduced an auditable system to reduce the misallocation of funds for cleaning suppliers, developed a head count guide for suppliers, designed a concept for an ergonomics training facility and is currently working on introducing ergonomics integrating training at VWSA.

"Being recognised for my performance at an international level has been so rewarding and has motivated me to excel to greater heights," affirms Naidoo.

Norman Addis is an electrical engineer and started at VWSA as bursary recipient in 2008. Thereafter he became a technician trainee and was later selected as graduate trainee in 2011. He has won numerous awards such as Best Student for Mathematics, Best Automation Student, Best Electrical Engineering Student as well as the 2011 Eskom Chairman's Award for top Engineering Student in South Africa.

Addis was also involved with the VWSA-NMMU Solar Car project for which he was acknowledged as the Best Industrial Engineering student at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).

"VWSA has supported me financially and has provided me with the practical training I needed to complete my studies at the NMMU. It was also a privilege to be part of the VWSA-NMMU solar car project - it is what I based my final year BTech project on," comments Addis.

Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, presented the awards in Germany and commented: "All of the young award winners have demonstrated outstanding performance during their apprenticeships. We are relying on them to be tomorrow's high performers. Great dedication and professional skill on the part of our employees are one of the factors behind the Volkswagen Group's success. That is why we will continue to invest extensively in training and developing young people."

The awards are held every year and have been running for the past 13 years with VWSA apprentices receiving fourteen Best Apprentice Awards during that period.