We lay the foundations for increased safety: Interview with Christina Reponj (CR) and Ines Kocila (IK), trainees at DEKRA

How do you make the world a safer place?

CR: Hmmm, I would say that during our training, we're learning about how we can do our part to contribute to increased safety in many areas within the company. For example, in my training, I sought out the accounts payable master in Supplier Accounting and set dunning blocks and booked cheques in Customer Accounting. In Marketing, I created PowerPoint presentations about work clothing and in the Personnel business unit, I carried out several adjustments together with the administrative assistant and budgeted investments in Controlling. In IT, I installed programs at branch offices via remote support. And at Branch 202, I was able to watch a test engineer during his work and even assist him with field work.

IK: Since I've already worked in a few departments, I have been able to learn a lot. In the Travel Costs department, employees' travel expenses are recorded in SAP; in Supplier Accounting, accounts payable masters are found and the data checked; and in the travel office, flight reservations and train tickets are booked. In Personnel, contracts, intermediate replies and cancellations are created (SAP program); in Property and Building Management, I created leasing agreements, looked at expert reports after an accident and checked the legal situation and then forwarded the information to insurance companies accordingly, for example. Safety is a result of the contributions of all DEKRA employees. We all work together to make the world a safer place. All together, we make up the DEKRA team!

What does your typical day look like?

IK: When I come to work, I first start up my PC and then I'm given tasks to complete. Currently, I'm in Personnel. Here, there are many different tasks for me: intermediate replies, cancellations, initial entry in the SAP program, storing files, creating Excel tables, contracts and ID cards, making hotel reservations and much more. Even when there's a lot to do, you can still talk and joke with colleagues. I like the work, because it is very varied and I don't do the same thing all day long. Since I'm constantly working in different departments during the training, I have especially varied and interesting tasks.

What does safety mean to you?

CR: Actually, we deal with safety all day long. Ultimately, that's DEKRA's job - to make the world a safer place. I would never have thought that so many departments and employees work together to make that happen. But it makes me feel good to be a part of it.

JK: Yes, that’s true - that really is great. And the nice thing is that we also benefit from DEKRA safety and security. A secure career with good training and excellent opportunities afterwards really is worth a lot.

Why do you work at DEKRA?

CR: I definitely wanted to work at DEKRA because the group is growing throughout Germany and worldwide and is known everywhere. I think my career prospects are really good here!

IK: DEKRA is quite simply a successful international company and offers good opportunities for advancement and further education.

What kind of people actually make up the DEKRA team?

CR: They are lovely people and great colleagues who are easy to work with right from the beginning. The work is a lot of fun. The atmosphere is very open and the tone is friendly.

IK: I have very nice, helpful colleagues. As a result, the work environment is very good; there's often a lot to laugh about and it's easy to talk with my colleagues.