Young Talents from the "City of Light" Given a Warm Welcome

35 apprentices are starting their training with the City of Jena in 18 different fields. Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, together with the training coordinators, officially welcomed the young men and women today at the Volksbad. 

“A city administration is there first and foremost for its residents,” 

Nitzsche emphasized. 

“To carry out its wide range of tasks—from the cradle to the grave—the city relies on qualified professionals,”

said the mayor. 

Career opportunities for the next generation are currently good. 

“We intend to continue our efforts to attract talented young people and to place a strong emphasis on training.”

Start in 18 different apprenticeship and degree programs

In the central administration, 20 new trainees are starting as administrative clerks, office management specialists, emergency medical technicians, fire captain candidates, and civil service candidates for the higher non-technical service, or are beginning their studies in “Social Work” or “Public Management.” At the municipal real estate agency Kommunale Immobilien Jena (KIJ), two young people are beginning their studies in the fields of “Real Estate Management” and “Construction Operations Management.” JenaKultur is also welcoming three new apprentices in the fields of media and information services specialist, event technology specialist, and event management specialist. Ten trainees are starting at Kommunalservice Jena (KSJ) as professional drivers, industrial clerks, electronics technicians, and automotive mechatronics technicians specializing in commercial vehicles, or are beginning their studies in “Civil Engineering.” For the first time, a young man is starting his apprenticeship as a forester at KSJ.

Mentors and trainers provide support at the start of the training

After the welcome ceremony, the apprentices will take part in an orientation week during which they will not only get to know Jena and the city administration, including its various departments and responsibilities. For each training program, they will also be assigned at least one mentor—an apprentice from a higher year of training—who will assist them with any questions regarding their career start. In the central administration and municipal enterprises, approximately 140 trainers are now available to provide the trainees with help and guidance. In addition, many specialists and managers support the trainees, particularly in preparing for their exams. 

“It is thanks in particular to our trainers that we have repeatedly made it onto the list of ‘Germany’s Best Trainers’ in the past,” 

said Training Director Anja Andritzke. The city of Jena received this award again in 2025.  

Congratulations to 28 graduates

Along with welcoming the new arrivals, 28 graduates were also given a ceremonial send-off this Monday. Fifteen of them successfully completed their apprenticeships in the core administration—as civil service candidates in the higher non-technical service, as administrative clerks, office management specialists, IT specialists, fire captains, emergency medical technicians, and early childhood educators; in addition, the “Social Work” degree program was successfully completed. At JenaKultur, two young people completed their training as event technology specialists and event management specialists. KSJ congratulates five graduates—office management specialists, road construction workers, automotive mechatronics technicians, and funeral service specialists. These men and women are now beginning their professional careers in departments such as Municipal Public Order, the Fire Department, the Archives Team, the Budget Management Team, and Human Resources. This year, for the first time at KSJ, a young woman completed her apprenticeship as a funeral services specialist and was hired by the organization.  

Apprentice Channel on Instagram

Information and insights into the wide range of apprenticeship opportunities are also available on the Instagram channel: @stadtjena.deineausbildung