This article has been machine translated from German.
Fortunately, nowadays you can also ‘meet’ virtually, especially when it’s not possible to do so at short notice. It’s Thursday afternoon, it’s cold outside and the sky is shrouded in mist. Shania Börlin, the new AVR apprentice representative, is sitting in Kaiseraugst, where she is currently completing her 4-year apprenticeship as a computer scientist, and I am in a meeting room in Building 1. Despite the distance, we are having a relaxed and interesting chat.
It’s the beginning of February, the year is still ‘young’. How did you start the new year?
Nothing out of the ordinary happened in January, it was rather quiet. However, 2025 has started quite well. I’m particularly happy that French lessons have been cancelled. Just over a month ago was New Year’s Eve, which I celebrated with my fiancé and my friends at home with board games, dancing and music.
Where do you live and what do you do when you’re not at Roche?
I grew up and live in Rheinfelden, where I feel very much at home. In my free time, I enjoy being out and about with my two dogs, taking photos of landscapes and nature, reading books, watching films and occasionally playing a quiet video game. One of my favourite Netflix series is ‘Arcane’.
What do you do at Roche? How did you come to Roche? What are your future plans?
The first year of my apprenticeship was all about acquiring basic knowledge of databases, web design, understanding Google and project management. In my second year, I work at Roche Kaiseraugst for three days and deal with specific web design tasks. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays I attend the vocational school and the vocational secondary school. I started the IT apprenticeship at Roche after a diversion via grammar school and a 10th year at school on the basis of a taster apprenticeship and was very happy that my application to Roche was successful. Writing programming codes, learning how a website is created from them, seeing the results immediately and networked thinking are all elements that I enjoy and that give me pleasure. Of course, I hope that I will be able to stay at Roche. If possible, I would like to study after my apprenticeship and I am working towards being accepted onto the S50 programme. This would allow me to work 50% and study at the same time. It would be possible to study computer science, but I am also interested in chemistry and biology.
How did you become an AVR site representative for apprentices and what is your motivation for this additional task?
Originally, my predecessor Isabella briefly introduced the AVR. At the time, I didn’t really understand what it involved. My vocational trainer approached me and asked me if I would be interested in taking on the role. After talking to Isabella, I realised that it would allow me to get involved in the concerns of apprentices, which I find very valuable. It’s also an opportunity to break out of the ‘learner bubble’ and get to know people from completely different areas. I think the tasks that the AVR deals with are very important. If employees need help and advice, it’s important to have a neutral point of contact so that they don’t feel left alone. In general, I think it’s important for employees to have a voice vis-à-vis their employer to address current issues or problems. I’m looking forward to my new role and getting to know the AVR team even better.
I have got to know Shania as an intelligent, motivated and very committed learner and would like to thank her for her commitment to the AVR Board.
Interview conducted by Manfred Mülchi, Site Representative for Roche Pharma (Switzerland) Ltd