Erik Buhmann
1st year of training, Hamburg

Even before leaving school I knew exactly what I wanted to do afterwards. I planned to study Business Management, because it can be put to universal use in companies and offers good opportunities for specialising later on. However there was no question of my doing a degree course at a public university, because I didn't want to end up sitting in a lecture theatre between 500 like-minded students and later being dismissed as a theoretician who was "out of touch with the real world". So I decided to enrol in an integrated degree program at the Nordakademie, because of the excellent dovetailing of one's theoretical and practical training, working in small groups of about 30 students. And I chose the internationally operating logistics company HOYER to be my corporate partner.

One of the things that speaks for HOYER as a training company is its open, flexible and international corporate culture. It offers me the chance of going abroad for part of my practical training and also of studying abroad for a term. The company is flexible about the order in which students attend the different departments, which can be adapted to suit one's individual wishes; and the sense of community among the trainees is fostered through a range of sports activities and outings. The introductory week, including lots of outings, guided tours and group activities, ensures that you get off to a relaxed start - which makes training at HOYER really fun right from day one.

Janna Thiele, 20
1st year of training, Hamburg

After completing my A-levels, I was in a quandary about how to proceed.

It is never easy to find the right university course or vocational training programme. An integrated degree program at HOYER GmbH satisfies my desire to gather practical experience while also earning myself a fully fledged university degree.

As an internationally operating logistics provider, the specialist freight forwarder HOYER offers the perfect conditions for an interesting and varied vocational training. It allows students to go through various different departments in the course of three and a half years, and to get to know the company better from various different angles. The system of the integrated degree program allows you to apply what you have learnt at the Nordakademie, and to expand and consolidate your understanding. Beyond the topics that make up Business Studies, you also get a chance to take a closer look at specific business sectors.

To my mind, the logistics industry has become more important all the time and is constantly having to face new challenges. This makes it an incredibly exciting line of business, and I hope to learn more about it during my dual-mode studies at HOYER.

As a new trainee, HOYER gives you a warm welcome and soon introduces you to the basic set-up of the company. It's easy to make friends within the community of trainees, so that you soon develop a sense of belonging.

Susan Yaqubi
1st year of training, Hamburg

Having done my intermediate secondary school exams in Offenbach am Main, I decided to train for my chosen profession. My attention was attracted by the website of HOYER GmbH.

The introductory week was very interesting and informative. Also, the trainees had the opportunity of getting to know all the different departments of the company. Another thing that was very important to me personally was that HOYER gives you the chance of becoming properly integrated very quickly.

During my training in the personnel department, my hopes and expectations concerning the other employees were completely fulfilled. Thanks to friendly and helpful colleagues, I found myself in a family-like atmosphere. I am highly motivated when I arrive at work, because there are always interesting and instructive tasks waiting for me there.

Marlene Hellberg
1st year of training, Hamburg

Having completed vocational school (focusing on Business and Administration) (in Stade, with the extended intermediate secondary school diploma), I really wanted to train as an office management assistant.

I became aware of the family enterprise HOYER GmbH during my two-year internship at the vehicle registration centre (Landesbetrieb Verkehr Mitte) in Hamburg. After a successful interview, I was accepted by HOYER GmbH as a trainee on 15 April 2011.

People at HOYER explain everything very carefully to us trainees, so that we develop a good understanding of freight forwarding and all the other business areas.

I am very much looking forward to my time ahead at HOYER and to meeting many pleasant colleagues, and I hope that I can continue to develop here during my training programme, both on a professional and on a personal level.

Daniel Pantel
1st year of training, Hamburg

I started my training in logistics management at HOYER on 01.08.2011. Having a high-school diploma meant I was able to reduce the training period to 2.5 years.

I had been interested in the subject of logistics for some time. Being born in Hamburg, I therefore applied to HOYER GmbH, a well-known Hamburg family enterprise.

With its canoe trip for trainees followed by a barbecue, HOYER made my start into professional life very agreeable. It gave me an opportunity to get to know my fellow trainees. Thanks to the well-structured introductory week, I got to know the company HOYER better and learnt more about how it interacts with its customers. During our very first tour through the various departments, I could immediately sense the pleasant atmosphere within the company. The employees are friendly and eager to help. Whenever I have a question, I can always ask them. My first stop within the company is the dispatch department. The tone of voice is rough but jovial. In the dispatch department it is important to remain calm and keep your head, between taking telephone calls, assigning drivers and writing out waybills. The phone calls with customers, partners and drivers are a chance to get to know many different characters and different perspectives. What I like about my training is that we are allowed to take on responsibility very soon and can therefore work independently early on. I also have an active say in my training schedule within the company. The specific departments we visit and the topics we cover are fixed; but other than that I can express many of my own wishes. Training at HOYER allows you to gather further important experience by spending time at one of its many overseas offices. In this profession it is very important to understand how things are connected on the logistical level, to have good team skills and in particular to have a friendly manner.

In that case, there is nothing to stop you gaining a successful and enjoyable education, and having lots of fun. I am looking forward to the forthcoming years of my professional training.