Committed to progress
New youth and trainee representation in Backnang
I, Alice, am a second-year industrial clerk apprentice. Part of my activity in the Marketing & Communications department is to write articles like this one. Personally, I think the JAV is a very important body and I’m happy to be able to draw attention to it and its importance.
The JAV (Youth and Apprenticeship Representation) is a body that represents the interests of young people and apprentices in companies. It is elected by trainees in companies and all young employees up to the age of 25 can be elected. The JAV campaigns for better working conditions, fair apprenticeships and the implementation of laws and regulations that affect young employees. The term of office is two years, until the next election takes place.
Since November last year, we have had three new youth and apprenticeship representatives at the Backnang site. Of the three places that could be filled, there were five trainees who applied for the position at the election in November. While this role had previously only ever been filled by one person, it is now made up of colleagues: Kevin and Oliver are industrial apprentices from the third year of their apprenticeship and Nina is a commercial apprentice from the second year.
We asked them about their new role: the three of them explain the tasks of the JAV.
Once a month, the JAV meets with the staff council to discuss new projects or ideas. If urgent events or important issues arise, several spontaneous meetings can also take place, as Nina explains. There is therefore close cooperation between the JAV and the Staff Council. Oliver adds: “Representing the interests of the trainees and mastering new tasks motivated me to become part of the JAV.” It is particularly important to all three of them that apprentices and young employees are heard.
If necessary, they also speak directly with the managers or trainers to find solutions and resolve conflicts. If conflicts arise, the JAV members see themselves as a kind of mediator. “We try to find a solution where both sides can be heard and reach a compromise,” explains Kevin. Of course, everything is kept anonymous so that everyone can feel confident to approach the JAV.
So far, the new JAV members have not experienced any major challenges in their work. “Cooperation is going well and communication with the staff council is running smoothly,” says Oliver. “It’s exciting to take part in the staff council meetings and discuss new topics,” adds Nina. In the near future, the JAV will be attending seminars to learn more about their rights and duties. In order to better understand the wishes and needs of the trainees, it is important to stay in regular contact with them. “We try to keep an open ear and find out what moves the trainees,” explains Oliver.
The management also sees it this way and Gerhard Firlbeck says that working with young people is an important part of stoba Backnang. Since 1986, a good 350 apprentices have started and completed their training at stoba. “Some of them are still with the company today and are even managers. So it’s only right that the JAV gives them a permanent body within the company.”
To keep the trainees regularly informed about current issues in the company, they invite the young people to tell them about the latest news. The new team of youth and trainee representatives in Backnang has quickly familiarized itself with the company and is committed to supporting the trainees.
The JAV at work
