New training workshop at the Detmold site
The realignment will significantly develop and sustainably improve the professionalisation, structuring and quality enhancement of Ecclesia's training. “As a group of companies, we attach great importance to innovation. We want to use attractive concepts to further increase the number of our trainees and dual students in order to secure qualified young talent for our growing group of companies in the long term,” explains Birgit Aspin. As Chief People Officer and member of the Executive Board, she is responsible for Human Resources at the Ecclesia Group, Germany's largest insurance broker for companies and institutions with an international focus. “In the training workshop, we teach our dual students and trainees in their first year of training basic knowledge as well as core professional and social skills in order to prepare them specifically for their work in the Ecclesia Group and for working with our customers.” This protected framework offers the best opportunities to familiarise themselves with the work at Ecclesia using the example of customers in the direct service area and to “work independently and autonomously, delve deeper into procedures and continuously repeat important processes and tasks” even at this early stage. The direct service area is primarily taking care of smaller social and healthcare organisations as well as church institutions such as kindergartens, social centres and care services.
Positive interim results after the first three months
Pia Stohlmann, who manages the Group's training programme as HR Development Officer, and Amelie Wittenbrock, Head of the training workshop, have played a key role in preparing the project. This is part of the new direct service team around Nadja Bürger and Frank Schultz in Detmold, which was launched in spring 2024. “Our HR development team and the direct service management team have coordinated the content and plans for the training workshop in detail and in the best possible way,” explains Pia Stohlmann. The first interim summary of the Ecclesia Group's training project is absolutely positive, just over three months after its launch. Every week there are feedback rounds on current topics and processes and the so-called ‘Echo of the Week’. All students and trainees have the opportunity to write down praise and criticism on a piece of paper and place it in a jar. The anonymous feedback is then analysed on a weekly basis. “This is very popular and provides us with new and, above all, positive insights,” says Pia Stohlmann. In addition to the large open-space area, there are also two offices for more concentration and quieter work in the relevant project phases. The overall concept for the first year of training in the corporate group has been well received and promotes the motivation of everyone involved.
– Amelie Wittenbrock, Head of the training workshopThe sense of community among our trainees and dual students is very good. They support each other, sometimes work in small groups and communicate openly and transparently with their team of trainers.
Learning the business of an insurance broker
Pia Stohlmann: "The aim is to create a high level of practical and target group orientation in the first year. Because the trainees and dual students are already working with a real customer base, they learn the business of an insurance broker from the ground up." As project manager, Amelie Wittenbrock is the first point of contact for the new trainees. "We make sure that everyone has a comparable level of knowledge at the end of the first year," she says. Particularly when it comes to handling the IT systems, the induction is carried out in such a way that the trainees and dual students in the second year of training can concentrate on work processes and key areas in different areas.
Teamwork, feedback and self-reflection
A key advantage of the concept is that the young employees in Detmold are in close contact with each other and can learn from each other. "When topics are developed together in the group, that's real added value," emphasizes Amelie Wittenbrock. "The first year of training is now decoupled. In the second and third year, the principle that our trainees and dual students go through completely different stations and complete practical assignments at several locations still applies," explains Pia Stohlmann. Trainers also benefit sustainably from increased feedback, self-reflection phases and teamwork in the first year of training. "We also raise awareness of our own actions. Because in addition to technical content, for many it's also about the transition from school to working life," says Pia Stohlmann.
All locations benefit
Other Ecclesia locations, for example in Munich, Cologne and Hamburg, also benefit from the experience and know-how of the various methods used at the Detmold training workshop. "The HR development department also offers hybrid specialist teaching and training. This means that trainees from all locations can take part," explains Amelie Wittenbrock.
Training programs of the Ecclesia Group
In 2024, 49 young men and women started their apprenticeship or dual study program at the Ecclesia Group. We currently employ more than 130 trainees and dual students throughout Germany. The selection process for the start of training on August 1, 2025 is already underway.
An overview of the apprenticeships and dual study programs and all other important information can be found on our website: