More than 400 trainees started vocational training at Schaeffler in 2019.

More than 400 young people started their apprenticeship at Schaeffler
In Herzogenaurach the trainees used the opportunity to get to know the headquarters of the company
Education secures young professionals career opportunities

At the beginning of the new training year, Schaeffler invited all new apprentices from the German locations to the company's headquarters in Herzogenaurach. In August and September, 413 young women and men began their careers with the automotive and industrial suppliers. Schaeffler offers apprenticeships in 20 occupations in 20 industrial, technical and commercial occupations throughout Germany as well as twelve dual study programs.

The trainees were welcomed by Lothar Langer, HR Manager Germany, and Paul Seren, Training Manager Germany. Georg F. W. Schaeffler, a family shareholder and supervisory board chairman, sent a video message to the junior staff, reminding them that the company has been training apprentices for more than 70 years. "Education and training have a very high priority and standard in our company and in our company history. This can also be seen from the fact that Schaeffler apprentices have repeatedly been among the best in their class over the years and decades, "said Georg F. W. Schaeffler, who also sent greetings to his mother Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann. In addition, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board revealed the design possibilities of the future specialists: "With your apprenticeship at Schaeffler, you all have the opportunity to contribute to the future of this company and its contribution to the global mobility for tomorrow."

Training the future

Paul Seren called on the new trainees to remain curious and critical, and to be prepared for job opportunities to change during their apprenticeship. An important building block for the education of tomorrow is the "Qualification for Tomorrow" initiative, which, as part of the "Agenda 4 plus One" future program, is gearing the company to the future. Topics such as e-mobility, Industry 4.0 and digitization are incorporated into the training content and also prepare the young trainees for the working environment of the future. For example, at Schaeffler, apprentices build their own, individual 3D printer: from the manufacture of individual parts to assembly and commissioning, they learn the relationships between mechanics, electronics, software and hardware.

The program of the full-day introductory event at the Herzogenaurach site also included a factory tour of the production and research facilities as well as various workshops on education and health.