Continental employed 1,871 trainees in Germany in 2008, around 80 percent in technical professions and 20 percent in commercial professions. Approximately 15 percent  complete a dual program of study with a bachelor’s degree to effectively address the shortage of technical and management personnel. The attractiveness and quality of the training programs at Continental is being constantly improved by various initiatives and projects.

Around 215 junior executives profited in 2008 from various company-wide career-development initiatives.

• More than 80 junior executives were placed as part of our “Cross-Moves Initiative”. The participants take part in job rotation schemes in various task areas, at diverse locations and in different divisions. This enables them to build up a broad and solid experience background that prepares them for management tasks later on.
• 105 junior executives participated in our “Talent Development Process” incorporating an assessment center as well. The aim of the program is to identify those with high management potential and individually help them make the most of their strengths.
• 30 talented employees have successfully completed our “International Management Program”. In this learning-by-action program, business school content is imparted to international participants, who also gain experience in solving real business problems within the framework of projects. Upon conclusion, the projects are presented to the Executive Board.

In 2008, Continental hired more than 1,200 junior executives and 400 young professionals worldwide, with around 30 percent of these in Germany. We make a point of investing in knowledge and innovation. To this end, we recruit primarily engineers and scientists as well as graduates in business management and economics.