SPAR Austria’s Academy in Vienna has launched an exciting new training programme: Junior Fruit & Vegetable Experts. This marks a significant step in their education, as 55 apprentices become the first in Austria to achieve this title.

The additional training consists of three modules and can be pursued after completing their apprenticeships. The certificate ceremony was held in a celebratory atmosphere at the educational campus in Vienna. Representatives from the Frutura Academy, who co-created the programme with the SPAR Academy Vienna, also attended.

First graduates enthusiastic

Among the graduates is Aid Rahmani, an 18-year-old apprentice. Starting his retail training focused on food last autumn, he is thrilled to have completed this additional training. “It’s very cool that I have already completed the additional training because it means I can achieve my first career goal of becoming a fruit and vegetable department manager even faster,” said Aid Rahmani.

“We can train apprentices to become the experts and managers of tomorrow with apprenticeship training at the highest level. This in turn benefits our customers by providing them with the best advice. I congratulate the apprentices on their great performance,” said Hans K. Reisch, Chairman of SPAR Austria’s Management Board.

New additional training for food apprentices

The new additional training is designed specifically for retail apprentices specialising in food. It’s the counterpart to the additional training of cheese and sausage experts in the retail apprenticeship specialising in delicatessen. The curriculum now includes 55 interdisciplinary teaching units.

Hands-on learning is the core of this programme, covering topics like nutrition, fruit and vegetable merchandise knowledge, food safety, sustainable production, storage guidelines, and more.

“In retail, you have to experience knowledge with your own hands and eyes to be a professional at work later on and to be able to advise customers confidently and expertly. Because retail is a trade. I am proud to be able to offer our apprentices a top-class apprenticeship with our dual training concepts – learning with all the senses,” said Robert Renz, Head of the SPAR Academy Vienna, about the new additional training.

Source: SPAR Austria

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About SPAR Austria

The origins of SPAR in Austria date back to 1954, but the current SPAR AG was created in 1970 when the original founding families joined other regional wholesalers to form SPAR Austria AG – a 100% privately owned Austrian company. With licences granted by SPAR International, ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) has developed the brand in Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, and Northern Italy.