“Going through a variety of departments (job rotation) gives me the opportunity to find an area that suits me and to better understand the overall operations of the company!”

Brief introduction  

Name: Louis Müller

Position and area: Apprentice Industrial Clerk

Years of service:  1.5 years (since September 2021)   

My main job(s) in 2-3 sentences: I started my training in the HR department. Here I provided support in recruiting and personnel administration. I then moved to the materials management department. I was able to gain an insight into our central warehouse and the day-to-day tasks in purchasing. I am currently working in the finance department, where I handle the posting of our incoming invoices.

Why did you decide to start an apprenticeship at RAILPOOL?  

Although I did not know the company RAILPOOL before, the three interviews made me enthusiastic. RAILPOOL is a young, very modern company that puts great importance to the satisfaction of its employees. However, I particularly liked the company’s relaxed working atmosphere, as I was offered the German, informal,  “Du” (you) right from the first job interview. I also find it very appealing that I, as the very first apprentice, have a lot of right to co-decide and co-design during my apprenticeship.

What does your day-to-day work at RAILPOOL look like?  

At the beginning of my training, I was assigned to the HR department. By taking part in numerous interesting job interviews and assisting in the onboarding process of employees who had already been hired, I was able to gain a good insight into recruiting and personnel support. Materials Management also offers a multifaceted and exciting day-to-day work. From physical warehouse work to obtaining quotes and placing orders, this department has a lot to offer. Currently, I am being trained in the accounting department and am responsible for posting our incoming invoices. Also the preparation of our payment run, is one of my weekly tasks in the finance department.

What is your time like at vocational school?

My vocational school is located in the Munich-Moosach district and takes place in blocks. There are a total of three main subjects, which are relevant for the final examination, as well as numerous subsidiary subjects. In the subject Business Processes (BGP) you learn important contents and methods of the respective departments such as the determination of personnel requirements (Human Resources), creation of advertising campaigns (Marketing) but also the optimization and planning of manufacturing processes (Production). In the subject Commercial Management and Control (KSK) everything revolves around accounting. Creating and checking invoices, posting business transactions, keeping financial records and much more is part of the course content. Politics and Society (PuG) is the third section of the final exam and includes economic topics such as various economic systems, but also more legal topics such as employee protection laws (Employment Protection Act, Maternity Protection Act, etc.).

What do you particularly like about your apprenticeship and where do you face challenges?   

What I like about my apprenticeship as an industrial clerk is that I go through various departments during my training (job rotation) and am given many varied tasks. One challenge I faced during my time in purchasing was that I was allowed to negotiate prices with a supplier on my own.

What do you particularly like about RAILPOOL?

Even as the youngest member of the company, I particularly like the respectful, open and helpful interaction with my colleagues. Also, due to my flexible working hours, RAILPOOL gives me the perfect opportunity to continue pursuing my hobbies. My decision to do an apprenticeship at RAILPOOL was definitely the right one!

My best experience at RAILPOOL so far was…

…the co-organization of our “RAILPOOL Steps Challenge”. That was super fun and a good change from the daily work routine!

About RAILPOOL

RAILPOOL is one of the leading railway vehicle leasing companies offering real expertise for full service from a single source. The company was founded in Munich in 2008 and now operates in 16 European countries.

RAILPOOL is one of the largest providers in Europe with more than 400 locomotives and an investment total of over one billion euro. The RAILPOOL fleet covers 70,000,000 kilometers every year and makes an important contribution to the modal shift to rail. RAILPOOL has its own warehouse with over 78,935 items from 2,700 different spare parts and components.

RAILPOOL. Flexibility For Rent.