Apprentice training at its best

- HEUFT SYSTEMTECHNIK GMBH in Burgbrohl takes on new recruits for six trades requiring an apprenticeship

Translation from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce press information following a briefing session on "apprenticeships" (with the emphasis on metalworking/electrical engineering) at HEUFT SYSTEMTECHNIK GMBH in Burgbrohl, Germany.

Seven young people will commence their apprenticeship at HEUFT SYSTEMTECHNIK GMBH in Burgbrohl in the summer of 2001. "In all we will bring together 22 apprentices in our company to serve six different apprenticeships," explained Rolf Degen who is responsible for their training. Gerd Distelrath, manager of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce area office in Bad-Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany, praised the commitment shown by the company and even gave them the rating: "Apprentice training of a high standard".

The apprenticeships are mainly in the engineering branch. Industrial mechanic (10), electronics engineer - communications (2), electronics installer (4) and electronics engineer - IT systems (4) apprenticeships last 3 to 3 years. A metalworker (1) takes 2 years. In addition there are also business training opportunities available. The quality of the training the apprentices receive at HEUFT is generally regarded to be high and it is assumed that applicants all have a sound educational background.

"We can only train our new recruits adequately in this way in order to create the prerequisites to maintain the high engineering standards in sales and service worldwide of our high-tech products," stated Degen and together with Alfred Gail, responsible for the metalworking apprentices, introduced three (of the seven) people who had completed their apprenticeships in January 2001 and were then taken on in the production, development, service and sales departments. Benjamin Stark (20) first started his apprenticeship as a metalworker (German=Teilezurichter) at 17 and in view of his good results continued his training to become a qualified industrial mechanic. Michael Hoffmann (19) qualified as an electronics installer (plant engineering). Ralf Hilger (20) successfully completed his apprenticeship as an electronics engineer (information technology). He gained his first insight into a career during a period of practical training in his school holidays.

Damir Zupcevic (23) finished his apprenticeship as an electronics engineer (information technology) a year ago. His ambition is to specialize in network technology. All four are proud to be employed by HEUFT in the future as newly-qualified specialists. Of the four other apprentices who qualified in 2001, one was taken on directly by the company´s overseas service department, one changed positions within the company and one has to first complete his military service. The remaining member left the company of his own accord.

Michael Syri (16), one of 22 apprentices, introduced himself. He started his apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic after receiving his secondary school leaving certificate last year. He likes the company and is enjoying his apprenticeship. He first became aware of the opportunities available at HEUFT from his friends.

Rolf Degen has no reason to complain that young people show a lack of interest in an apprenticeship at HEUFT. "The company has an excellent reputation in the area and a lot is resolved more or less by word of mouth. The constant availability of work experience places has proved to be especially worthwhile in the recruitment of apprentices. A realistic insight into the world of work is a considerable help in the choice of career. Rolf Degen (39) is in charge of equipment manufacture and the apprentices at HEUFT are also his responsibility. He heads the Chamber of Industry and Commerce work group: "metalworking/electrical engineering apprenticeships". Rolf Degen is also very committed to the area "education/commerce and industry" where he is particularly active in finding work experience placements for pupils in their final year at school. He strives to help with the choice of career by holding personal conversations with teachers and pupils at secondary schools in the Ahrweiler area, Germany.