Trainer by vocation
How Leonie Schuer is successfully advancing the apprenticeship programme at Prokon – and how the cooperative benefits from it.
To vigorously drive forward the energy transition, one thing is needed above all: qualified professionals! But they are often in short supply. Unfortunately, Prokon regularly feels the impact of this as well. So, what could be more obvious than training highly sought-after young talent within the company itself – and doing so across as many areas as possible? Prokon eG had not been realising its full potential in this regard in recent years.
That is now changing, thanks to Leonie Schuer. The 32-year-old joined Prokon in August 2024 and brings with her a wealth of experience in human resources management. "One of my main tasks is to revive the commercial apprenticeship programme. And I’ve already been able to put this successfully into practice.”
Leonie is a true Northern native. Born in Itzehoe, she also completed her A-levels there. During her studies in International Tourism Management, she specialised in human resources and, after professional stints in Hamburg and Elmshorn, she has now returned to her home region. “Supporting young talent is something I’m deeply passionate about,” emphasises Leonie. “For Prokon, but also for the region and the young people who want to build their professional future here.”
Organisation in Eigenregie
From day one, she approaches her new role at the cooperative with energy and motivation. Within a short time, she sets up two new commercial training programmes. A major organisational feat: she establishes contacts with the Chamber of Commerce, creates a comprehensive training concept, develops training plans and speaks with the individual departments that the future trainees will rotate through. “I had to get everyone on board. And it worked brilliantly,” says Leonie. Naturally, she also conducts the interview process with the candidates.
“The most important thing is to genuinely enjoy your job. In an interview, you can tell quite quickly whether that’s the case or not,” says the experienced HR officer. In August 2025, Prokon’s first trainee in marketing communications, Aaltje Velde, will begin her training. Career changer Tanja Paulsen will follow in October, retraining as an office management clerk – the second new apprenticeship role at Prokon.
"At Prokon, I can actively contribute to the energy transition every day, which gives me the good feeling that my work is meaningful – for the company and for our future. Right from the start, I felt like part of the team. That showed me that it's not just the work that matters here, but also the person behind it."
Aaltje Velde, Trainee Marketing Communications
Early in responsibility
In August, Mateusz Olek joined as another IT apprentice. He is training to become an IT specialist in application development. Already in his second year of training is Kiano Rist, an apprentice IT specialist in system integration. Prokon eG has been offering apprenticeships in the IT field since 2023. The programme is led by Torben Oestreich, Head of IT and Cloud Infrastructure at Prokon. Sophie Hergenreder, a dual student in industrial engineering, has also been with Prokon since 2024. She is completing the practical part of her studies within the company.
Whether apprentices, retraining participants or dual students: “Our young employees take on responsibility early,” emphasises Leonie. For example, Aaltje is deeply involved in planning the apprenticeship website. As a prospective IT specialist, Mateusz has independently modernised the existing IT interfaces to bring Prokon’s system landscape technically up to date.
Exchange on equal footing
“In addition to professional skills, we also convey our cooperative corporate culture to our trainees. This includes values such as a sense of community, trust, responsibility, and sustainability,” says Leonie. As a result, the trainer organises team-building activities such as joint excursions and workshop days on topics like renewable energy or personal development. “I really enjoy my role as a point of contact — I’m happy to be there for the trainees,” says the HR officer.
And after the training? “If possible, of course, we want to take on all of our trainees,” says Leonie. “We place great value on giving our young talents perspectives for the future.” Prokon employees benefit from internal training programmes and have opportunities to specialise in specific areas within the company.
Leonie herself has only just begun her “mission for young talent” and has big plans. “It would be great if I could help strengthen Prokon’s image as a modern training provider and employer — especially among young people.”