How Planungsgruppe Landespflege TNL GmbH took the plunge to become a training company - and won

When small and medium-sized companies think about training, there is often a big question mark in the room. Too much bureaucracy, no training certificate, no time for supervision - and anyway: can we even find anyone?

The uncertainty was also great at Planungsgruppe Landespflege TNL GmbH from Hanover. And yet, in spring 2024, the decision was made: We're doing it now! Today, one year later, it is clear that it was the right decision. And a real success story.

Growth, responsibility and the desire for relief

Since it was founded in 1994, TNL has stood for high-quality environmental and infrastructure planning. With over 230 employees at five locations (Hanover, Hungen, Buttenheim, Lich and Weiden i. d. Opf.), it manages projects in the fields of wind power, solar fields, pipeline construction and transport infrastructure, always with a focus on species and nature conservation. Many environmental planners work particularly intensively in spring, when animals and plants are observed and mapped - such as bats, breeding birds and insects.

The projects are getting bigger, the network is becoming more closely knit across Germany and demand is increasing. In 2021, Julia Krimkowski took over as Managing Director of Planungsgruppe Landespflege in Hanover as Planungsgruppe Landespflege TNL GmbH (PGL TNL) - and with the move into the modern office in Hanover's Südstadt district, including flex workstations over several floors, it was clear that TNL was on course for growth and a bright future.

But with growth also came a challenge: the back office was reaching its limits. Anika Kujack, assistant to the management, in particular, realized how much work lay on her shoulders. Her idea: a trainee office management assistant. "I actively asked for support at the time," she says, "and thought to myself: why not train someone myself?"

The path to becoming a training company: Hannover Region as a key partner

The idea was there - but implementing it? Not so easy. Nobody in the company had a training certificate, and as an initial training company, it was completely unclear what requirements had to be met.

A Google search brought the company into contact with the Hannover Region and the EXAM (External Training Management) project . TNL made contact on May 28, 2024 - and was surprised at how quickly and easily help was provided by consultant Jürgen Hansen.

During an on-site consultation, all the requirements of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) were discussed:

• Is the company suitable?
• Is there a person authorized to train?

While point 1 was fulfilled, point 2 was missing: the training certificate. But a solution was quickly found for this too. Anika Kujack registered with the Hanover Chamber of Industry and Commerce - and obtained her training certificate in August 2024.

From the job advertisement to the interview: A flood of applicants thanks to creativity

With the apprenticeship certificate in the bag, the training position was advertised in November 2024. Supported by modern technology, an AI-generated advertisement was created, including an authentic image and language that would appeal specifically to young people.

The success? It was overwhelming. Between 40 and 50 applications were received - a sign of how attractive a young, dynamic company with an honest image can be. After the pre-selection process, four candidates were invited for an interview. The decision was made at the beginning of December: Kader Satan, a young woman from North Rhine-Westphalia who had just moved to Lower Saxony, impressed with her open manner, her motivation - and her desire to take on responsibility.

By chance? No - targeted placement

For Kader, the path to PGL TNL began in the traditional way - by searching for an apprenticeship on the portal of the Hanover Employment Agency. She had already completed an internship in office management and was now ready for the next step. The decisive turning point came from the agency's job recruiters, who tipped her off to the position at PGL TNL. It was a stroke of luck for Kader - because she was immediately attracted.

Kader was immediately won over by the tone and design of the advertisement. "It was simply different - not as stiff and formal as many others. That appealed to me," she recalls. You couldn't tell that the ad was created with the help of AI - on the contrary: it came across as authentic, target group-oriented and fresh.

Start of training and future prospects: Kader brings a breath of fresh air

On February 1, 2025, the time had come: Kader Satan began her training as an office management assistant. She attends BBS Cora Berliner in Hanover two days a week. And she is quickly outgrowing herself: she supports Anika Kujack in the back office, creates presentations independently, takes care of procurement, invoices, keeps the report booklet - and will soon be visiting the other locations in Hungen, Buttenheim, Lich or Weiden.

One highlight: the company presentation she has created herself, which she will present to all new employees when they join the company - a real win-win project.

Her goal? Perhaps to study part-time after her apprenticeship. "She is eager to learn, motivated and brings new impetus - exactly what we were hoping for," says Anika Kujack proudly.

More than just training: a living corporate culture

What makes Planungsgruppe Landespflege TNL GmbH special is not just its expertise - but also its team spirit. Joint activities such as the Hanover City Cycle, the Bird Race (counting birds) as a team-building competition, barbecues, parties and hikes make everyday working life lively and unifying.