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

A total of 89 young people started their careers at Schaeffler's Herzogenaurach location with the start of their training and dual studies at the beginning of September / October. From the commercial-technical area of training, these include tool mechanics, industrial mechanics, cutting machine operators, mechatronics technicians, material testers and technical product designers. Young people can also be trained as industrial clerks and IT specialists in the commercial sector. In addition, high school graduates take on a "Two in One" course, which combines technical training with a technical course, as well as a dual course in cooperation with the Mannheim Cooperative State University on October 1st.

Well prepared for corona conditions
During the first days of the training, the future trainees and their trainers get to know each other during an introductory week. “My team was already faced with special challenges in advance of the corona-related distance and hygiene measures; Nevertheless, personal contact is important to us and a part of the first few days, ”says Jürgen Axt, Head of Training in Herzogenaurach. In addition, the annual Germany-wide meeting of all new trainees will take place this time as a purely virtual event. In view of the current situation, Schaeffler ensures personal training both on site and in the home office. “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 across Germany 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 young professionals through their professional lives. The increasing digitization is also reflected in IT-related apprenticeships and additional offers. For example, more and more IT specialists and IT system clerks are being trained at Schaeffler. 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 Herzogenaurach location is currently training a total of 438 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.