Sustainability is one of Deutsche Bahn's key promises to its customers, society and the state. This is why DB's junior employees are already actively committed to the environment and developing ideas for a sustainable future. Whether in long-distance rail transport, at DB Regio or at DB Cargo: with the "Eco-aware trainees" program, DB is going one step beyond the original training plan and raising awareness of the issue of sustainability among young rail employees during their training.
A thinktank for more environmental protection
In the "Long-distance trainees for the environment" program, junior staff at DB Fernverkehr work on making their daily work even more environmentally friendly in all training years. The program has been in place since 2014.
In the ninth season in 2024, the vocational trainees once again proved that they are real "environmental pioneers" with innovative and creative ideas. The projects were once again very diverse: from improving flora and fauna through a tree donation campaign, reworking raised garden beds, building insect hotels, distributing seed balls for customers on the train, proper deposit separation, creating environmentally friendly dishwasher tabs to food rescue and increasing energy efficiency.
Over a period of months, almost 60 trainees worked on a total of ten projects. Through their initiatives, they not only raised awareness of the issue among local employees, but also brought the environmental friendliness of long-distance transport closer to customers and the public. In total, over 550 trainees have taken part in the program nationwide so far.
Ecological training for Regio vocational trainees
Since October 2022, apprentices at DB Regio have also been able to implement creative ideas for the development of environmental projects. The "Regio-Azubis pro Umwelt" program encourages their enthusiasm for environmental protection from the very first year of their apprenticeship. In joint projects, the trainees can make the environment and processes of their own workplace more ecological and thus make an active contribution to DB's ecological transformation.
Cargo trainees with sustainable ideas
Young employees at DB Cargo are also committed to environmental protection. As part of the “Environmental Heroes Day”, junior employees at DB Cargo can engage in an exciting exchange with experts on current environmental issues. The vocational trainees and dual students gain insights into forward-looking environmental projects at various locations and then implement their own ideas together - including posters with energy-saving tips for the office buildings and insect hotels.
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