Audi apprentices have a heart for insects

With self-built insect hotels, the apprentices of Neckarsulm are combining educational content with environmental protection. The 17 apprentices for bodywork and automotive construction mechanics built insect hotels that have been placed in 15 locations inside the plant and in two locations outside the plant fence since March.

The focus when building the insect hotels was on ensuring a stable foundation, a weatherproof roof and the “heart” of the structure – the wooden core. The trainees also focused on diversity when drilling the holes: a range of hole diameters provide shelter for various types of insects. The tree slices for the insect hotels are made of regional oak and come from the forest of trainer Michael Friederich.

But the involvement of the young Audi apprentices doesn’t end with building the hotels: they will continue to monitor them throughout their apprenticeships and will document their colonization. New holes will be drilled depending on the occupancy of the various boreholes. “Our apprentices and the environment benefit equally from the project. That makes the insect hotels a win-win for everyone,” Friederich said, summing up the project.

“Habitats for plants and insects are becoming increasingly scarce in many regions of the world. This apprentice project is an important way to help preserve biodiversity at our site,” said Achim Diehlmann, Head of Plant Environmental Protection and Project Manager of the Audi “Mission Zero” environmental program.

In addition to insects, other species are already finding a home at the Neckarsulm site: there are special nesting sites on the grounds for swifts, swallows and hawks, among others. Audi Neckarsulm is committed to preserving biodiversity with these measures as part of the cross-site “Mission Zero” environmental program. AUDI AG joined the “Biodiversity in Good Company” initiative in 2015 and has committed to analyzing the impact of its business activities on biodiversity as well as to incorporating protective measures into its environmental management system. In addition to biodiversity, the environmental program addresses decarbonization, water use, and resource efficiency in production and logistics. A key objective is to achieve carbon-neutral sites by 2025.