Interview with Apprentice Fabian Spichtig

Author: Fabian Spichtig, Apprentice, Leister Switzerland 

Interview: Silke Landtwing, Corporate Communications Manager, Leister Switzerland

Why did you decide to do a commercial apprenticeship?

When I was in my second year of high school, I tried out various professions: carpenter, polymechanic, and finally I ended up in the commercial sector.  

As you can see from my first two professions, I was initially interested in something craft-related. Although I liked both professions after trying them out, I missed that certain something. 

During the job selection process, apprentices presented different apprenticeships at our school. One of them was an apprentice from the commercial department. A colleague of mine approached me after the presentation and said that the commercial apprenticeship would be something for me after all. At first, I was against it. But the longer I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of a commercial apprenticeship. 

Shortly after the presentation, I took a look at various companies for the commercial apprenticeship. My path also led me to Leister. I liked the trial apprenticeship at Leister so much that I knew I wanted to complete my commercial apprenticeship here.

What did you like so much at Leister? 

During my trial apprenticeship at Leister, I got to know the purchasing, sales , and accounting departments. I liked it everywhere. The employees were always very helpful and there was a good atmosphere.

Which areas did you get to know during your apprenticeship so far? 

In my first year as an apprentice, I worked in purchasing. There, for example, I entered orders and checked order confirmations.

Since my second year as an apprentice, I've been in sales at Leister. Here, I process various customer orders.

Parallel to my main training in purchasing and sales, I gain various insights into other departments at Leister.

In the first year of my apprenticeship, I spent three days in the shipping department. On the one hand, I learned how to correctly receive parcels from the incoming goods department and how to store them correctly. On the other hand, I worked in the outgoing goods department. There I was shown how to stack pallets correctly and then how to pack them safely.

I was also allowed to spend a day helping out in the planning department at Leister. There I learned how production is planned. That means when how many of which devices should be produced.

Most recently, I spent three days in the IT department. During these three days, I helped to solve various internal problems and in the end, I disassembled and then reassembled a computer.

Did it work again afterward?

(laughs) Yes, I did not think so myself.

Where have you liked it most so far and why? 

I really liked it in both purchasing and sales. Both departments have very nice teams that always help me when I'm unclear about something. 

But I think my highlight so far has definitely been disassembling and reassembling the computer because I am very interested in technology and computers. And of course, I am still happy that it worked again afterward (smiles).

What are you currently learning in theory, meaning at school?

We are learning a lot of different things. In economics, our main subject, we are currently learning a lot about securities and the economic cycle. In informatics, we are studying the printing of serial letters at the moment, and in German, we are learning about the differences between main and subordinate clauses.

What is your favorite subject and why? 

I don't have a favorite subject. But I find economics very interesting because our economy is very complex and there, we learn to understand it.

Which subject do you like less?

French. Even though I'm already much better than I was in high school, it's definitely the subject I'm less comfortable with. I find the language difficult to learn and have only used it very rarely. With English, it's completely different.

Do you already know what you are going to do after your commercial apprenticeship? 

I don't have a definite plan yet. But I think I will complete the one-year full-time vocational baccalaureate. After that, I'll probably work until I start the army. And what comes after that is still completely open. 

I don't want to plan anything up ahead I'll take the future as it comes and then make the best of it.

Thank you very much for the interview. We are very happy that you are with us and wish you much joy and success in your apprenticeship.

Fabian answered the questions in this interview written during his stay in the strategic marketing department in cooperation with Silke Landtwing. We think he did a great job. A big compliment.

Are you interested in training with the Leister Group?

If you are interested in training with the Leister Group, please contact Erika Windlin, Head of Training. She is looking forward to getting to know you.