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For many young people, apprenticeship marks the start of their professional life. In doing so, they create a good foundation for their future success – and that of the company. Eberspächer attaches great importance to in-depth education: with a wide range of specializations and a strong focus on the skills required in the future.
30 September 2024 – The apprenticeship system in Germany is a successful model. Whether it's an apprentice or a dual course of study, the first step into working life leaves its mark – perhaps even for life. So it's all the more important that it fits right from the start. In the fall of 2024, around 35 talented young people started their careers at the German company locations – an exciting new chapter.
MORE THAN “JUST” APPRENTICESHIP
At the headquarters in Esslingen near Stuttgart, the focus is on commercial apprenticeships, such as industrial clerk or IT specialist for system integration, in addition to dual studies in the technical and IT fields. There is no room for boredom! After all, it's not just the training content that continues to develop; various additional qualifications also offer the opportunity to deepen skills. The additional qualification “AI and machine learning” is being offered for the second time. Last year, a second-year trainee in the field of IT completed this for the first time.
With success, as Head of Vocational Education Stefanie Melzer reports: “This exclusive offer gives our apprentices the opportunity to gain an intensive introduction to the topic of AI and expand their programming skills. In cooperation with our partner vocational school and the Esslingen Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), we are one of the few companies to offer this opportunity. We will continue to do so in the future”. For the coming year, the new additional qualification “Digital Business Management” is also being planned for the commercial apprenticeship, which will provide in-depth knowledge in the field of digitalization – in addition to the existing additional qualification “International Business Management with Foreign Languages”. With this offer, Eberspächer is able to align the training content with the needs of the economy. Stefanie Melzer confirms: “We are making our junior staff fit for the requirements of the industry. The school-based focus is supplemented by other internal training courses, for example on intercultural skills or business etiquette. The sponsorship and mentoring programs ensure that every trainee and DHBW student can always count on a sympathetic ear and support. It's not just the junior staff who benefit from this:
“Training young talent brings a breath of fresh air to the organization. Their new perspectives ensure that we never stand still as a company. They drive us to develop further,” says Stefanie Melzer, emphasizing the importance of apprenticeships.
PROVIDING CREATIVE FREEDOM
Training future specialists is also a high priority at the Neunkirchen site. In addition to apprentices and dual students, so-called “retrainees” are starting their first year of apprenticeship this year for the first time. These retrainees are employees from within the company, most of whom originally worked outside the industry and are now taking up retraining in the automotive industry. Thomas Becker, Head of Vocational Education at Purem by Eberspächer in Neunkirchen, is particularly pleased about this: “We train our skilled workers of tomorrow ourselves – on the one hand, this secures our workforce at the site. On the other hand, we also offer our employees opportunities by providing them with further qualifications for future topics."
The junior employees are given a great deal of creative freedom: “We live by the motto: everyone can, everyone is allowed. And we feel that every day! Our apprentices, dual students and retrainees have the opportunity to work on both operational and strategic projects. This gives each individual a very special drive,” reports Thomas Becker.
COOPERATION WITH LOCAL INSTITUTIONS
Promoting young talent starts early at Eberspächer. Almost all German – and worldwide – locations maintain intensive partnerships with local schools and universities. In addition to plant tours, a whole range of other support measures are on the agenda. The HR team visits local schools to give pupils tips on how to apply for jobs. Diana Hirche, HR manager at Purem by Eberspächer in Wilsdruff, emphasizes: “We give young people the opportunity to gain an early insight into the industrial environment. As a company, we can clearly feel the positive effects - this is how we secure our future skilled workers”. In Wilsdruff, for example, school pupils also regularly have the opportunity to gain an insight into the industrial environment as part of vacation jobs – with a decent amount of pocket money thrown in for good measure.
Eberspächer recognized the importance of securing skilled workers in-house early on: The company has been training apprentices itself for over 150 years. From traditional commercial training to technical professions such as industrial mechanic or electronics technician for automation technology. In addition, young talents can lay a solid foundation with a dual course of study, for example in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or computer science. With a total of ten different apprenticeships and seven dual study courses on offer, there is something for everyone.