Heidelberg Takes on More Trainees for Apprenticeship Program this Year

HEIDELBERG, Germany — September 2, 2016 — The overall recovery in the financial situation at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is also reflected in recruitment numbers for the new training year. The start of the new training year on Sept. 1 sees a total of 90 young people launching their careers at the four German sites Wiesloch-Walldorf/Heidelberg, Brandenburg, Amstetten, and Ludwigsburg — 10 more than just a year ago.

Traditionally the largest training site is the Wiesloch-Walldorf plant with 61 new trainees, including 12 students at the DHBW (Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University) in Mannheim. Last year’s total was 54 new trainees. There are also two chef training places at subsidiary Heidelberg Catering Services GmbH. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG provides training in 14 different technical and commercial careers and, in conjunction with the DHBW, also offers just under a dozen dual study programs. Overall, 341 young people are currently in training at Heidelberg throughout Germany (including 216 in Wiesloch-Walldorf).

“We’re delighted to be able to report a renewed upward trend in recruitment numbers,” explains Andreas Blum, head of professional training at Wiesloch-Walldorf. In his view this is particularly pleasing as the chances of being taken on permanently are now once again very good. “Almost everyone completing the program currently receives an offer from us after his training/studies,” says Blum: “That’s great for the young people and important for Heidelberg.” He notes that the demand for skilled workers is growing in all areas of the company. He says this applies in particular to logistics, where almost all trainees have been taken on, even in the last few difficult years.

Twelve future mechatronics engineers are undergoing a special form of training at the Wiesloch-Walldorf and Brandenburg sites. As well as the traditional course content in the professional training regulations, the trainees also complete special training modules that prepare them for their future work as service engineers.

Collectively Agreed Funded Year for Five Refugees from November Onwards
At the start of November, the 12 usual interns beginning their collectively agreed funded year will be joined for the first time by five young refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Nigeria at the Heidelberg site in Wiesloch-Walldorf. As well as practical training, the young refugees will be attending college for at least two days a week. One of these days is earmarked for intensive German classes. Provided they perform well, the five asylum seekers have a real chance of being able to start a traditional training course at Heidelberg as a mechatronics engineer, industrial engineer, print media technologist, or warehouse operator.

Source: Heidelberg.