"Welcome aboard!" – Garrison Wiesbaden continues successful local national apprenticeship program

Photo By Roland Schedel | WIESBADEN, Germany – Apprentice Pierre Fuchs said: “We are here to serve the Soldiers. We are supporting their Families, that they can perform their job in that perfect manner around the world as anybody is expecting and for what they are known for”. (Photo by Roland Schedel, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office)  

WIESBADEN, HE, GERMANY

05.25.2022

Story by Roland Schedel 

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden   

"Welcome aboard!" – Garrison Wiesbaden continues successful local national apprenticeship program


WIESBADEN, Germany - Germany's dual system of vocational education and training is highly recognized worldwide due to its combination of theory in the classroom and training in a real-life work environment. Beginning last year, the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden is utilizing parts of this system to train young people.

The advantage is that trainees familiarize themselves with the particularities of working in the U.S. federal service by getting trained in a variety of jobs, ultimately allowing the garrison to plan for long-term success and increase installation resilience. USAG Wiesbaden intends to continue this model in 2022 with additional apprentices.

In August 2021, Maleeha Shah and Pierre Fuchs were the first two apprentices on board at the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden. Both local nationals are training to become "Clerk Apprentices" (Kaufmann/frau für Bueromanagement).

Maleeha spent her first six months at the Military Personnel Division of the Directorate of Human Resources, currently assisting the Department of Publlic Works, O&M Contracting. “Right from the beginning, I learned a lot. My supervisor supported me in familiarizing myself with the special environment of the Army. But in general, I am very customer-oriented, which is very helpful.”

Providing strong customer support seems to be a perfect attitude for working at an Army Garrison. “We are here to serve the Soldiers. We are supporting their families, that they can perform their Job in that perfect manner around the world as anybody is expecting and for what they are known for,” said apprentice Pierre Fuchs.

Pierre’s advantage: He left the German Army (Bundeswehr) as a "Hauptfeldwebel", the equivalent of a U.S. Army first sergeant with 12 years' experience. In other words, he is perfectly used to a military environment. Pierre started last year and has been working with the Directorate of Public Works. After six successful months, he has transferred to his next training assignment – the customer service department in the same directorate.

Both apprentices attend vocation school in Wiesbaden twice a week. The remaining days of the work-week, they spend at USAG Wiesbaden. With this model, the garrison can train qualified team members according to their specific needs.

“When selecting personnel, we pay close attention to ensuring that the candidates have active and creative personalities," said Lena Stange, workforce development program specialist at USAG Wiesbaden.

The apprenticeship program seems to be working – Andreas Albrecht, Pierre's supervisor, confirms, “We are really satisfied with our trainees. Both are extremely proactive and I am convinced that this investment will pay off for USAG Wiesbaden.”

Caption 1
WIESBADEN, Germany – Andreas Albrecht (left to right) with Pierre Fuchs and Maleeha Shah. (Photo by Roland Schedel, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office)

Caption 2
WIESBADEN, Germany – Apprentice Pierre Fuchs said: “We are here to serve the Soldiers. We are supporting their Families, that they can perform their Job in that perfect manner around the world as anybody is expecting and for what they are known for”. (Photo by Roland Schedel, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office)

Caption 3
WIESBADEN, Germany – Maleeha Shah is training at USAG Wiesbaden as a "Clerk Apprentice". (Photo by Roland Schedel, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office)

• Date Taken: 05.25.2022
• Date Posted: 06.01.2022 09:31
• Story ID: 421467
• Location: WIESBADEN, HE, DE