That’s why I chose the International Trainee Programme:

My first contact with CLAAS resulted from an excursion with my former university. I was immediately impressed by the factory tour and the technically complex products, so it was clear to me that I would like to apply at CLAAS later on. At the end of my master's degree, I decided to apply for an internship including the writing of my master's thesis.
While I was writing my master's thesis, I became aware of the trainee programme at CLAAS. I was attracted by the diversity and the opportunity to find out which area of production would be the right one for me in the next few years. After successful job interviews for the trainee position, my time here began.

Three qualities that applicants for the International Trainee Programme should have:

Enthusiasm, adaptability and communication skills.

Of course, first of all you should be fascinated by the industry and the CLAAS products. Then you should enjoy changes and be able to adapt to new situations. During your time as a trainee, you work in various projects or departments and always meet other people.

What inspires me about working for CLAAS:

CLAAS is an international company and as a trainee I have the opportunity to find out what that means. Through longer stays abroad, you come into contact with different cultures and languages. In a world that is growing closer together, these experiences are very valuable. I also appreciate the individual design of the trainee programme.
In addition to projects in the production, I had the opportunity to spend three weeks with colleagues from the combine harvester pre-development department to test prototypes in harvesting operations in Saxony-Anhalt. A great impression, especially if you don't have a farming background. And that's also what inspires me: the opportunity to look over the horizon alongside your daily tasks and to develop personally and professionally in a meaningful industry. 

The International Trainee Programme is …

... for me exactly the right career entry to get to know CLAAS in its entirety. Versatile, international and challenging.

The culture at CLAAS is characterised by…

During my time as a master's student and then as a trainee, I have already got to know many people and departments at CLAAS. They all had one thing in common: They made me feel welcome. Mutual respect, a family environment and a great willingness to share one's knowledge with new colleagues were the aspects of the corporate culture that I have come to appreciate in recent months.

My greatest challenge so far at CLAAS:

That reminds me of two things. On the one hand, the transition from student life to professional life. I don't think that's easy for anyone. More responsibility, new structures and different people. Basically, an educational process that went much faster than initially thought. On the other hand, the first weeks of my stay abroad in Russia. At first my plan was to go to China, but due to the Corona virus this didn't work out in the short term. Russia was then a great alternative, but I had no time to learn the language even a little bit. The first days I communicated with colleagues from the production, supermarket or taxi with facial expressions and gestures. After the first words and sentences came over my lips, things became easier.

In these areas I have been:

• Combine harvester assembly, CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen
  
• Service Function Manufacturing Engineering, CLAAS Business Unit Grain
  
• Axle production, CLAAS Industrietechnik, Paderborn
  
• Manufacturing Engineering, CLAAS Krasnodar (Russia)
  
• Current: Supply Chain Management, CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen
  
• Planned: Model Maintenance & Production Support, CLAAS Tractor SAS (France)
  

That’s why I chose the International Trainee Programme:

I grew up on a small farm near Harsewinkel, so technology and agricultural machinery have always fascinated me.
After studying bionics and mechanical engineering and several stays abroad, I applied for the International Trainee Programme.
At CLAAS I found a job that not only awakened my interest in technology, but also in new cultures.

Three qualities that applicants for the International Trainee Programme should have:

• Strong communication skills
  
• The desire for variety
  
• Openness
  

How was the application process structured?

After my written application, I was invited for an interview. First of all, they checked on a professional level whether the Trainee Programme with the focus on engineering was suitable for me. Then I was invited for an interview by the Human Resources Department.
Without any tricky questions, my interview partners were able to get an impression of me and my targets. The online personality test was also very interesting for me, including results which not only enriched my career.

The International Trainee Programme is …

...an exciting challenge that will have a long-lasting impact on my professional career. Due to the many new contacts within the company, I have a very good overview of the company and can gain a lot of professional and international experience. Now I know how our products are created and understand the complete process.

What inspires me about working for CLAAS:

I am impressed by the high level of identification of CLAAS employees with the family-owned company. To see how the employees work hand in hand and how the big machines roll out of the gates is a small wonder for me every day.
CLAAS offers me the opportunity to gain international experience in a highly innovative environment. I really appreciate their mission – technology for feeding the world.

The culture at CLAAS is characterised by…

... a strong identification between the company and their products. Everyone is fascinated by the agricultural sector and the new technologies. A good sense of togetherness within the team ensures the high standard of our results.

My greatest challenge so far at CLAAS:

There are several contact persons within the International Trainee Programme. Sometimes it is difficult to meet the different requirements. Strong communication skills are therefore an important characteristic which you should bring along.

In these departments I have been:

• Digital Product Engineering, CLAAS Holding
  
• Virtual Functional Development, CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen
  
• Research & Development Headers, CLAAS Hungaria
  
• Assembly line 1: LEXION, CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen
  
• Service ingénierie Modules et Platformes, CLAAS Tractor France
  
• Customer Insight, CLAAS Holding
  
• Pre-Production, CLAAS Industrietechnik
  

That’s why I chose the International Trainee Programme:

It enables trainees to get to know different departments and locations of CLAAS and to become aware of their own interests – an advantage for all trainees who want to orientate themselves after university. At the same time, a wide network is generated, which is extremely valuable for future work. The intensive promotion of the trainees through various training elements, as well as the support of the mentor programme, round off the International Trainee Programme at CLAAS.

How was the application process structured?

I appreciated the selection process as very transparent. It was divided into two different interviews in which I met HR representatives, my mentor and future colleagues. The constructive discussions took place in a pleasant atmosphere and after a short time I was accepted.

What inspires me about working for CLAAS:

The Internal Audit department, which is the focus of my Trainee Programme, provides auditing and consulting services for the entire CLAAS Group. This gives me the opportunity to get to know all CLAAS locations, build up an international network and develop my intercultural skills. At the same time, I gain an understanding of all the business processes of the company and as a result, I set the optimal basic conditions for a successful start to my career.

The culture at CLAAS is characterised by…

…respectful interaction with everyone. At the same time, a high degree of trust is put in our employees, which encourages them to work on their own responsibility.

Three qualities that applicants for the International Trainee Programme should have:

• Self-organisation
  
• Flexibility
  
• Productivity
  

My greatest challenge so far at CLAAS:

Countless abbreviations are used at CLAAS. Especially at the beginning of my Trainee Programme, I got confused. In addition, the use of unknown systems such as SAP presented me with initial challenges.

In these departments I have been:

• Internal Audit, CLAAS Holding
  
• CLAAS Italia
  
• Planned: Digitalization and Processes, CLAAS Global Sales