Open days for potential apprentices 06 Jun 2019

In recognition of the importance of hands on training in the underground construction industry, TBM manufacturer Herrenknecht has been offering open days at its workshop in Schwanau, Germany, for potential new apprentices. Its fourth open day, held recently, attracted 350 interested boys and girls from local schools, together with their parents, who had the opportunity to look behind the scenes and discover whether an apprenticeship at Herrenknecht would be the best career path for them.

Hands on training at Herrenknecht

Pupils were given the chance to visit 15 stations showcasing 13 different options for training in industrial, technical or commercial areas of the heavy machine manufacturing business. They were offered the chance to make a rose out of metal, design technical drawings and use soldering irons. There was also an opportunity to explore the inside of a TBM via virtual reality and attend a live demonstration. The highlight of the visit was viewing at first hand the rotating cutterhead of a TBM for a metro project.

Pupils were given three options for joining apprenticeships at Herrenknecht while still studying. Current apprentices and training supervisors were on site to answer questions about the application process, the theoretical and practical content of the training occupations, the course of the apprenticeship, and details of degree internship programmes.

"I am personally pleased that the offer to get a taste of our apprenticeships is so well received," said Klaus Himmelsbach, Head of Training at Herrenknecht. “It is simply great if we can inspire young people about our company and create transparency. Only if pupils get a really good idea of what the training occupations involve, are they able to choose the right apprenticeship.”

Currently, 150 apprentices and student trainees are in training at the Herrenknecht centre in Schwanau, and this year 180 apprenticeships and degree internships will be offered, making Herrenknecht one of the largest trainers in the region.