The decision, whether to pass an industrial training or university studies, considerably influences future chances on the labour market. Today more and more young people prefer a dual study program – a carefully balanced, timesaving, but also exhausting combination of job training and study course – on their way to a qualified employment.
This concept is beneficial to trainees as well as companies. “The labour market offers clearly better chances for me”, Dennis Roepke (22), graduate of the international freight forwarder Lexzau, Scharbau GmbH & Co. KG in Bremen, explained. He already passed his exam as MBA (trade & logistics) within the dual study system. “I can present practical experience. Company managers know that the graduates of dual study courses have gained practical experience. Therefore in general they are better prepared for the stressful work in everyday’s business than their inexperienced competitors from university. Thanks to business contacts I could already begin to establish my own network. Apart from that the international background of a worldwide acting company provides me with the necessary skills for the modern labour market. Furthermore – and this is important – the financing of the studies was ensured by the apprenticeship payment. So I could completely focus on my studies.”
The tediousness caused by a practical training with following university studies is not applicable for a dual study. After 3 – 4 years the process of training is completed.
Also Fritz Behrens, head of Human Resources of the Lexzau, Scharbau GmbH & Co. KG in Bremen, appreciates the advantages of a dual study: “The graduates are better prepared for the practice – they know the processes of the company. And they are relatively young. Furthermore we can bring important impulses of the practical business in the lessons caused by the close collaboration with the academy.”
Joerg Conrad, owner of the Anker Leschaco Group, a group of companies Lexzau, Scharbau GmbH & Co. KG also belongs to, explained his strategy: “Actually we cooperate with the Institute for Trade and Logistics in Bremen (BIHV). As of 2011 we will take other partners on board. Due to our throughout positive experiences with the dual study system we want to develop this potential further.”
Nevertheless the dual degree brings also double pressure for the students. The schedule of the training is much more compact; lectures in the evening and at the weekend in addition to the practical training are common. Theory and research take on another role in the context of the high practical relevance.
For a global acting freight forwarder like Lexzau, Scharbau GmbH & Co. KG the advantages are obvious: The dual study system doesn’t generate an absolute MBA graduate but rather forwarders with an extensive business administration background. Graduates who are interested in a job with a high IT-rate but who are looking for a working place with “port atmosphere” - something not university lecture in the world has to offer!
Company Information: The Anker Leschaco Group is a traditional owner-managed freight forwarding company and offers intercontinental logistic solutions for sea and air freight transportation within the chemical, pharmaceutical, automobile, consumer goods and plant and machinery sectors. A further core field is in warehouse logistics and cargo handling. As tank container operator the company group can also offer solutions for the transport of liquid chemicals and food grade products. The company was founded in Hamburg as Lexzau, Scharbau by Wilhelm Lexzau and Julius Scharbau in 1879. Today the group is represented by its own branch offices on all continents (in Australia through agents) and has a workforce of 1,500 employees worldwide, 600 of which are in Germany. The owner Joerg Conrad places particular focus on sustainable development of the group. The company headquarters are located in Bremen.
Contact address :
Fritz Behrens
Head of personnel department
Lexzau, Scharbau GmbH & Co. KG
Kap-Horn-Strasse 18
D- 28237 Bremen
Germany
Telephone: +49-421-6101-297
E-mail: behrens_fritz@ leschaco.de
www.leschaco.com