An interview with our instructor Linda Reißberg What to know about the Industrial clerk
Hi Linda, you’re responsible for training our industrial clerks. What excites you most about guiding young people as they start their careers?
What excites me most is seeing people grow. With apprentices especially, you can watch that development happen in real time. Many of them come straight out of school and have never worked in a company before. At the beginning, everything is new – structures, processes, teamwork. But over time, that changes a lot. They find their place within the company, discover their strengths, and develop a sense of which tasks suit them best. By the end of their apprenticeship, many already have a clear idea of the direction they want to take—whether that’s in sales or another department. Being part of that journey from day one is something I really enjoy.
You currently support all commercial apprentices. How important is personal interaction to you in that role?
To me, personal support is essential for a successful apprenticeship. People learn best when they have guidance – role models they can look up to and people they can turn to with questions. That’s why each department has dedicated training coordinators who serve as direct contacts for the apprentices. On top of that, I’m always available as the overall program lead. It’s important to me that no one feels left alone with their questions or uncertainties. Especially in the beginning, that kind of guidance makes a big difference.
You’re still relatively young yourself, and your own career start wasn’t that long ago. Does that help when working with apprentices?
Yes, I think it does. The smaller age gap often makes it easier to connect on a personal level. Many of the situations our apprentices are going through now are ones I remember very well. I still clearly remember what it felt like to start at the Coroplast Group – figuring out how things work and who to go to for what. That experience really helps me understand what our apprentices are going through and what they need.
You mentioned meeting people at eye level. What does that mean for you in day-to-day training?
For me, it mainly comes down to trust. Every apprentice is an individual, with their own strengths, challenges, and sometimes personal situations that can play a role. It’s important to me that they know they can always come to me openly. If something isn’t going well – whether in their department, at vocational school, or in their personal life – we talk about it and find solutions together. It’s not about pointing fingers, but about tackling challenges as a team. That foundation of trust is key to a strong apprenticeship experience.
What does the application process look like for future industrial clerks at the Coroplast Group?
The process starts in a very traditional way through our careers page, where candidates apply for the apprenticeship position. After that, there’s a virtual introduction with our recruiter, Laura Kreis, who specializes in apprenticeship recruiting. Next comes an online assessment that focuses on topics like motivation and readiness for training. If candidates pass that step, we invite them to an in-person interview, which I also take part in as the trainer.
What do you focus on most during that interview?
For me, it’s all about attitude. We don’t expect any professional knowledge at this stage – it’s an apprenticeship, after all. What matters more is curiosity and the willingness to learn. I also pay attention to qualities like openness, motivation, and a certain level of courage – like being willing to ask questions or share your own ideas.
Job interviews can be very nerve-wracking for young people. How do you help ease that tension?
First, I try to make the situation feel more relaxed. For many candidates, this is a completely new experience. I often address that openly and mention that I remember what it felt like myself. I usually start by sharing a bit about myself and the company, so the focus isn’t immediately on the candidate. That helps many people settle in and feel more comfortable. It’s important to me that it feels like a conversation, not an exam.
How is the industrial clerk apprenticeship structured at the Coroplast Group?
During the two-and-a-half-year apprenticeship, our trainees rotate through different departments, including purchasing, HR, marketing, sales, work preparation, and finance. Each rotation typically lasts between eight and twelve weeks. This gives them a well-rounded understanding of different business processes. Since we have multiple business units, they also get to experience a variety of teams and structures within the Coroplast Group.
Many apprenticeship programs emphasize hands-on experience. What does that mean in your case?
For us, hands-on experience means that apprentices are actively involved from the very beginning. Of course, tasks are adjusted to their level of knowledge, but they take on responsibilities that add real value to the day-to-day business. That might mean sitting in on meetings with suppliers or customers or contributing to projects. It’s important to us that they don’t just observe – they actively gain experience. Because you learn best by doing.
It’s important to me that apprentices know they can always come to me openly.
When apprentices take on responsibility early, mistakes are bound to happen…
Absolutely and mistakes are an essential part of the process. In fact, I think you learn the most from them. When you try something and it doesn’t work out, you often gain a much deeper understanding of why things are done a certain way. That’s why it’s important to me that apprentices aren’t afraid of making mistakes. Of course, you should learn from them, but they’re a natural part of learning. They help us improve and do things better the next time.
Are there opportunities to explore personal interests during the apprenticeship?
Yes, definitely. If we notice that someone develops a strong interest in a particular area, we try to take that into account when planning their rotations. In addition, we offer what we call the “Apprentice Learning Journey” at the Coroplast Group. All apprentices regularly take part in workshops that go beyond standard training content. These take place about every three months and cover topics like goal setting, motivation, and learning strategies. It’s a great way to develop both professional and personal skills.
Here you can find four interesting facts about the apprenticeship.
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At the Coroplast Group, you need at least a vocational baccalaureate diploma, as apprenticeships there are only 2.5 years instead of 3 years in length.
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Apprentices spend between two and three months at each station. In some departments, such as the Laboratory, short stints of two to three weeks are also possible.
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About our job portal. The application includes a CV, a current school certificate and a short cover letter.
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An approx. 20-minute introductory interview via online video call
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An online test
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In-person interview at the Coroplast Group
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In the best case, the applicant starts their apprenticeship as an industrial clerk
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What are the chances of being hired after completing the apprenticeship?
In general, we train apprentices because we want to keep them in the company. By the end of the program, they know our processes and structures very well, making them a strong foundation for our future workforce. While we can’t guarantee a permanent position, we always try to find opportunities together.
One last personal question: If you could give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice for starting a career, what would it be?
I’d tell myself to relax a bit and not put so much pressure on myself. Especially in the beginning, you often feel like you have to do everything perfectly right away. But no one expects you to know or master everything from day one. What really matters is staying curious, trying things out, and building confidence in your abilities. A lot falls into place over time – everyone grows step by step through their experiences.
Info box Here you can find some facts about Linda
- 28 years old
- Lives in Sprockhövel
- Started at the Coroplast Group as a working student in Learning & Development; today she is a Talent Expert responsible for commercial apprenticeships, talent management, and more
- Hobbies: traveling, spending time with friends and family
Thanks for talking with us, Linda!
Your contact person Careers – Apprenticeship & dual studies
