Welcome: 16 young people start their apprenticeship
A warm welcome to our new trainees and students! © HZB
On 1 September, 16 young people began their apprenticeship, dual study programme or voluntary year at HZB. A welcome event, initial insights into the world of research and a communication seminar marked the start of this new phase in their lives.
As an experienced apprenticeship company, we are delighted to be able to accompany young people on their way into working life again this year. On 1 September – the official start of apprenticeship – we welcomed ten apprentices, four dual students in computer science and two participants in a voluntary year at a small welcome event.
‘You have chosen a job that is not only exciting for yourselves, but also important for our society,’ emphasised Silvia Zerbe from the communications department, providing insights into research at HZB. ‘Good science needs many minds in the background. It only succeeds when everything works together – for example, when the IT runs reliably, the workshop works precisely, the purchasing department procures equipment, and the human resources department takes care of our salaries. Starting today, you are part of this large team.’
Training coordinator Christina Herold encouraged the new colleagues to be open to new ideas and to ask questions: ‘Our experienced apprenticeship coordinators are happy to assist you. And the youth and apprenticeship representatives are also there for you at any time.’
Immediately after the welcome, the first joint programme began: a one-and-a-half-day communication seminar conducted by Christina Herold. Because sometimes the most difficult thing is also the most important – talking to each other respectfully, especially when things aren't going smoothly.
What professions are our new colleagues learning?
- 2 office management trainees
- 1 chef
- 2 precision engineers
- 3 IT specialists/system integration
- 2 IT specialists/user development
- 4 dual students in computer science
- 1 participant in the Voluntary Ecological Year
- 1 participant in the Voluntary Natural Science Year
We wish you a good start and lots of fun at HZB. We are glad you are here!
Links
- Too old for research at 60? From nuclear physics to papyrus researchA career in science can be personally fulfilling. However, this also means accepting the unpredictable: research topics may no longer receive funding, and laboratories may close. Heinz-Eberhard Mahnke experienced this first-hand when he had to seek new challenges in his early 60s. Today, the 81-year-old is still active in research, using non-destructive measurement methods to examine ancient artefacts of inestimable cultural value. Antonia Rötger spoke with this extraordinary researcher, whose curiosity and drive are truly inspiring.
- 83 pupils at Girls'Day at HZBOn 23 April 2026, the annual Girl’s Day took place, giving pupils an insight into various career paths in the fields of science and technology. 83 pupils visited the Adlershof and Wannsee sites and enjoyed a day full of exciting experiments.
- Zum Girls' Day: Was eine Professorin rätChristiane Becker ist Physikerin am Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin und Professorin. Sie forscht daran, wie Solarzellen noch besser werden können. Im Gespräch mit Schülerpraktikantin Livia gibt sie einen Einblick in ihren Arbeitsalltag und ihre Erfahrungen in der Forschung und hat einen Tipp für alle Mädchen, die sich für Wissenschaft begeistern.