"A good education is very important to me!"

16.04.2020 Working at Bell Food Group

Jan Reist has been playing ice hockey since he was six. Ten years later, he has made it into EHC Basel's elite junior team and has a "Swiss Olympic Talent Card", which is awarded to talented players who are particularly worthy of support. Since last summer, he has also been training in IT at Bell. In this interview, he and Andreas Begré, Head of Vocational Training at Bell Switzerland, talk about how apprenticeships and competitive sport can be combined.

Mr. Begré, how did it come about that you took on a young competitive athlete as an apprentice for the first time with Mr. Reist?

We've had the idea of promoting sporting talent with training opportunities for some time. For us, this is part of the social responsibility we have towards society as a large company. With Jan Reist, however, this wish came true rather unexpectedly. At the interview, he didn't tell us anything about the extent of his involvement in sport.

What stopped you, Mr. Reist?

First and foremost, it was important for me to get a good education. Sport came second. That's why I didn't mention it in the application process. It was only after I was accepted that we agreed that I could continue to play and train.

Mr. Begré, did you have to make any special preparations for hiring Mr. Reist?

We consulted with his parents, his coach and the sports office in advance to establish all the key points. We then concluded a supplementary agreement to the apprenticeship contract. This stipulates, for example, that he will be released from training on Tuesday mornings.

How heavy do you find the dual burden of training and competitive sport, Mr. Reist?

It is very exhausting. Sometimes I want to go home after work and spend time with my friends. But it's also a lot of fun. What's particularly great is that all my colleagues are so nice and help me when I'm short of time. I felt like I was in good hands right from the start - even though I'm the youngest member of the team at 16 years old.

Mr. Begré, what is your initial conclusion just over six months after starting your apprenticeship?

We are all very surprised at how well and quickly Jan has integrated with us. I think he brings a lot of skills from sport that are also important in the workplace. For example, he is very well organized and knows that you have to work hard if you want to be successful. You also notice straight away that he is a good team player.

Does the training of competitive athletes at Bellin lend itself to any professional field, Mr. Begré?

It's certainly easier to implement in the administrative area, as we have more leeway in terms of working hours thanks to the flexitime system.

Mr. Reist, what is your biggest sporting goal?

I think it would be great for me to play in the National League one day.

And what would happen if he really did take part in the Olympic Games with the national team, Mr. Begré?

Then we would be very happy and support him so that his training does not suffer.

Bell is a "competitive-sports-friendly teaching company"

The fact that Jan Reist is a promising ice hockey newcomer is proven by the "Swiss Olympic Talent Card" he has held since August last year. It is awarded to talented athletes by "Swiss Olympic", the umbrella organization of Swiss sport and the National Olympic Committee. The card shows communities, schools and potential employers that the holder is particularly worthy of support with regard to a successful career in sport. Companies such as Bell, which offer such talented people apprenticeships, help them to build up a professional foothold alongside their sporting career. For them, "Swiss Olympic" has launched the "competitive sports-friendly training company" label. Those who bear this label must meet various requirements. These include, for example, a flexible program that allows athletes to coordinate their working hours with their sports training and competitions. Incidentally, Bell already had experience of employing competitive athletes before hiring the young ice hockey player. Professional bobsledder Simon Friedli has been working as a chef in the staff restaurant in Oensingen for two years. In the course of this, Bell has already been awarded the "Competitive Sports-Friendly Employer" seal, which is also awarded by "Swiss Olympic".