Blog post - 26. Jun 2025

Summer is just around the corner – and with it, the last VW trainee group and thus the 6th group of 2025 visited the socio-cultural centre ‘Alter Gasometer’ in Zwickau. A total of 17 apprentices from the VW Mosel plant took part in the three intensive project days.

The introductory day was dedicated to self-reflection: the trainees analysed their own values and learned how these influence their actions. An exciting start to a week full of eye-opening experiences. They also discussed and negotiated their own group values and the resulting norms and rules for the three days. This was followed by a crash course on fake news and the dangers of artificial intelligence. Especially as a generation that uses TikTok, ChatGPT & Co. on a daily basis, there was great interest in the background, methods and dangers of digital disinformation. It was clear that they take these media completely for granted and feel comfortable with them.

Tuesday was all about raising awareness: the trainees openly discussed racism, reflected on its mechanisms and recognised participation as a daily task – not a foreign concept.

Wednesday was a historical and political day: the focus was on NSU victims, relatives and right-wing extremist terror in Germany. For the trainees – many of whom were born between 2005 and 2007 – the NSU is part of history. They have no active memory of the so-called self-disclosure on 4 November 2011 because they were only small children at the time.

The openness and intellectual curiosity with which the trainees engaged with unfamiliar methods was impressive. They developed a clear awareness of the fact that misanthropic attitudes are unacceptable in society. Content that goes far beyond technical training and promotes personality.

And yes, the participant with the 4 paws was there almost every day, but slept through most of it. For once, that’s okay.

A big thank you to everyone involved: the speakers, trainees and the team at the Altes Gasometer. A final event that will be remembered – by everyone.

Organiser: Alter Gasometer e.V.

This event is co-financed by tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament.