125 “Young Leaders” set their Sights on the Future with Tognum

• Young people get to know the company and develop contacts for career entry
• “Youth Future Forum” cultivates links with potential specialists and managers

Friedrichshafen, 26 September 2011. Last weekend, on 24 and 25 September, Tognum, the specialist for propulsion and power solutions, played host to 125 young men and women from throughout Germany who came to Friedrichshafen to attend the second “Youth Future Forum” conference. The “Young Leaders” were able to get an idea of the development opportunities available at an international organization such as Tognum and to find out how the company approaches the future challenges of globalization. “It is enthusiastic and committed people such as these Young Leaders who are taking Tognum forward. Promoting long-term links with next-generation specialists and managers and awakening their enthusiasm for our company are essential elements in our strategy,” said Ingo Metzer, head of HR at Tognum. The Youth Future Forum event was organized by Tognum in conjunction with Young Leaders GmbH which, for the last 20 years, has supported young people interested in undertaking voluntary activities and preparing for career entry.

They are also called “multipliers” – young men and women between 15 and 22 who act as role models and opinion leaders. They may, for example, be active as class representatives or leaders of Red Cross youth groups who are motivated by the aim of involving their peers in positive projects. The Young Leaders organization formulated a special concept for Tognum designed to further cultivate this commitment. The principle involves raising the awareness of these Young Leaders with regard to the professional opportunities offered by the company. “For us, it is important that the people taking part in these workshops are not limited to theory but have the chance to use all the information they get in practice. That makes the experience gathered much more relevant when it is presented in the journalistic media,” explained Reinhard Werner, CEO at Young Leaders GmbH.

The expertise needed to do this was supplied by professional radio, TV and print-media journalists such as Stephan Mayer from Bavarian Television. Tasked with creating webmags, TV clips and a PR sheet, the participants demonstrated their ability to rapidly grasp complex issues and to highlight the salient points. Among the challenges set, was an on-site research exercise in the workshops where a Tognum mtu-brand Series 8000 large diesel stole everyone’s attention. Participants also heard from Tognum executive board member Peter Kneipp, chairman of the works council Karl-Heinz Wulle and specialists from the Sales, R&D and IT sections about the visions which motivate Tognum.

For those attending, a further important element of the workshop involved reflection on their own future. On this topic, Regine Siemann, head of HR Marketing, revealed the secrets of career selection: “Our aim is to provide information and ideas which will encourage young people to choose their dream career. As a potential employer, Tognum sees the Youth Future Forum as an opportunity for prospective high achievers to find out about the various routes open for career entry at the company.” To ensure that this aim is pursued in future, Tognum and Young Leaders GmbH are already planning the next Youth Future Forum in 2012.