We attach a great deal of importance to the training and continuing professional development of our employees. By providing newcomers with excellent training and offering continuing professional development to our existing staff, DZ BANK remains an employer of choice for talented employees.

DZ BANK takes various approaches to attracting the best candidates who are just starting out on their careers. School leavers can choose from a traditional vocational apprenticeship leading to a qualification in banking, for example, or from various models that combine a degree course with training in the Bank. Graduates can enroll in our management trainee programs, while students can join DZ BANK on an internship. We also offer a program for students approaching graduation.

However, since achieving qualifications should not be the end but just the start of lifelong continuing professional development, we believe it is important to nurture our employees' skills. Continuing professional development is available to all DZ BANK employees in the form of inhouse training activities, divisional training, and external training courses. In 2009, the total number of days spent by our employees in professional development activities was 12,375; the program comprised approximately 130 different topics.

There is also a professional development program that prepares high-potential employees and executives for taking on demanding roles with additional responsibilities. Finally, we offer a systematic development program for department heads and group managers.