Ochsenhausen. Recruiting with a difference, and above all, a sporty one!
Instead of a traditional information day at the company, the trainees at Wölfle GmbH in Ochsenhausen came up with something very special: a trainee penalty shootout tournament, planned, organized, and implemented entirely on their own. The result? A complete success and an exciting afternoon for everyone involved.
The tournament took place on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the sports grounds of SV Ochsenhausen, and a heartfelt thank you to the club for this. Ten teams of students from grades 8 to 10 competed against each other in a tournament format, with original team names like "FC Fußpilz" (Foot Fungus) and "Latte rettet" (Latch Saves), which prompted a few chuckles on the sidelines.
"Our trainees have been working intensively on the organization for months, and we are incredibly proud of their commitment," said Anna Gleinser, Head of Training at Wölfle. In addition to the sporting competitions, there was plenty for the participants to enjoy: a goal wall with Wölfle merchandise prizes, a photo booth for team photos, and, of course, attractive prizes, including the grand prize of six tickets to Europa Park. Food and drink were also well catered for, with fries, red sausage, and fresh fruit to ensure the energy needed for accurate penalty kicks.
The teams were able to easily register in advance via WhatsApp or email, which was well received by the young people. Fortunately, the weather cooperated perfectly.
"We believe that traditional information days in this format no longer achieve the desired effect. If you want to reach young people, you have to offer them real experiences and engage them in conversation," explains Anna Gleinser. This is exactly what this format achieved.
The title of Wölfle Penalty Kick Champion 2025 was ultimately secured by the team "The Family" from Laupheim. Congratulations!
Wölfle GmbH is completely satisfied: "It was an attempt to try something new, and we were rewarded. A repeat next year? Very possible!"
