New trainees welcomed at the Schaeffler site in Bühl

Training starts under Corona conditions
Home office, e-learning and collaboration platforms support trainers and trainees
More IT apprenticeships and the addition of digitization and robotics to the training content

With the start of their training at the beginning of September, a total of 45 young people started their careers at the Schaeffler site in Bühl. From the commercial sector there are five industrial mechanics, nine tool mechanics, eight electronics technicians, a materials tester, a stamping and forming mechanic and seven product designers. Five young people are being trained in the commercial profession. In addition, five high school graduates take up a “two in one” course that combines technical training with technical studies. Four high school graduates have decided on a dual course of study in cooperation with the Karlsruhe Cooperative State University from October 1st.

Well prepared for corona conditions
During the first days of the training, the future trainees and their trainers can get to know each other better. Due to the corona pandemic, the annual meeting of all new trainees will take place as a purely virtual event this time. Among the special challenges of Corona, Schaeffler ensures personal training on site and in the home office with distance and hygiene measures. “The balancing act between distance and personal support is a new aspect. But we are well prepared, ”says Paul Seren, Training Manager Germany.

Digitization and more IT in training
“The virus drove digitization in training at Schaeffler. We were able to quickly introduce an e-learning platform and continue to use the new forms of collaboration intensively, ”adds Seren. Everyone involved was very flexible and spontaneous. And it is precisely this flexibility and agility that will continue to be important in times of transformation of the company and will accompany the junior employees through their professional lives. The increasing digitization is also reflected in IT-related apprenticeships and additional offers. Schaeffler is increasingly training IT specialists and IT system clerks. In many apprenticeships, important additional qualifications such as digital networking, programming, IT security or content for additive manufacturing and robotics will be integrated in the future.

Large range of apprenticeships at Schaeffler
The Bühl location is currently training a total of 162 young people. Schaeffler offers around 1,400 young people training at the highest level at 21 locations across Germany. The technology company offers training for around 20 industrial, technical or commercial professions as well as the option of twelve different dual courses of study.