Maharashtra boy wins Volkswagen Best Apprentice Awards 2018

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 13: Little did Rahul Barhate, a young lad of only 20 years of age knew that the Mechatronics Apprentice program from Volkswagen will turn his fate and secure his future. It was a proud moment for him and his family as he received the Best Apprentice Award from the top management at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg, Germany for his brilliant performance and promise shown by him.

The Volkswagen Group presented its ‘Best Apprentice Awards 2018’ to its best apprentices from all over the world, honouring their outstanding performance and professional competence last week on 07th December in Wolfsburg, Germany. The prizes for the 46 young talents with 16 vocations were presented by the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Herbert Diess; the Member of the Board of Management with responsibilty for Human Resources, Gunnar Kilian; and the President of the Global Group Works Council, Bernd Osterloh

Rahul underwent training in Mechatronics programme involving Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Hardware and similar aspects in car engineering as a part of the German-styled Dual Apprenticeship Programme run by Volkswagen India at their Academy in Pune Plant. On completion of the programme earlier this year, Rahul was placed in the Paint Shop of Volkswagen Pune Plant and is doing his specialisation in Paint Shop production now. During his apprenticeship, he has also worked on projects like ‘Roller Cleaning Unit’ and ‘Maintenance and Modification of Bush Pressing Machine’.

On receiving the Best Apprentice Award 2018, Rahul said, “The last four years at Volkswagen in Pune, India have truly laid the foundation of my career. I am poised enough that the learnings and the experiences gathered during my journey of these years in Volkswagen India will help me grow personally and professionally.” He further added, “I am thankful to Volkswagen for providing me this opportunity and I promise to make the best of it.” Post this win, he will attend the orientation programme at Skoda Head Quarters in Czech Republic.

“You have every reason to be proud because you are among the world’s best apprentices of the Volkswagen Group. In the future too, we will need a team that is motivated, competent and committed, and also welcomes change. If you want to keep pace with the major challenges of our times, you must demonstrate flexibility and be ready to accept change,” said Dr. Herbert Diess at the award ceremony.

This year’s Best Apprentice Award was the 18th of its kind presented by Volkswagen AG and a total of 523 apprentices have been honored since 2001. 18 of the award-winners had already been honored in their home countries for their commitment to their companies and for their knowledge and skills in their training vocations. 21 of the Best Apprentice Award winners will be starting a degree course to develop their knowledge and skills in greater depth. Three of the award-winners from Germany will be receiving two years of individual support in their professional family within the “talent group for young specialists”.