Every year since 2003, the Friedhelm Loh Group has invited second-year apprentices to the former Gnadenthal monastery near Bad Camberg. "The aim of the project is to bring young people into contact with topics that will enrich their lives," said Prof. Loh, describing the intention. "As the largest employer in the region, we see it as our responsibility not only to train young people professionally, but also to give them ideas on how they can find their personal role for a fulfilled and successful life."

In addition to discussing values and how to communicate them, the workshop also focused on the tools for team and project work as well as moderation and presentation. The 55 trainees interpreted the workshop topic in the two-day workshop in June and the regular project work in the following months. They showed why they believe it is important to remain curious and find a personal focus at the same time. The results have now been presented to a jury of top management - an opportunity for the trainees to put the moderation and presentation techniques they have learned into practice.

"Stay curious. And ask questions!"
Prof. Loh opened his speech with a passionate plea for curiosity. However, in order for an interest in new things to promote personal and professional development, focus and perseverance are also required: "Don't be satisfied with buzzwords, but ask yourself what's behind them." This is the only way to turn an idea into an applicable innovation. "The wealth of ideas of our employees as well as their expertise and perseverance in further development have proven time and again in our company's history to be the decisive nucleus for success."

Digitalization has long since taken hold of all areas of life, especially in the generation of trainees. It opens up completely new opportunities for curiosity and knowledge, but also increases the effect of distraction and diversion. The key question of the award-winning projects was therefore: How do young, digitally networked people find the balance between a healthy curiosity for information and peace and quiet to concentrate on their personal goals?

The jury was particularly impressed by Niklas Edelmann, Collin Prange, Fnan Kahsay Nuguse, Dennis Niklas Petzold, Jessica Schweizer and Hüseyin Tekin. They showed with humor how childlike curiosity and discipline can produce results with tangible benefits. For their film on "Curiosity and Digitalization", they were awarded first prize, a three-day stay in Leipzig, including a tour of the Porsche factory and a visit to the Zeiss Planetarium.

Second place went to Tom Niklas Becker, Olivia Bräutigam, Felix Halfmann, Lukas Klonk and Max Stiel. They are going to Munich for two days to visit the BMW plant and the Bavaria film studios. Lorenz Janke, Michael Leischner, Hanna Meier, Raphael Schirmuli and Nils Vreemann came third. Their prize is a day trip with a tour of the Opel plant. pb