Jörg Widemann, Head of Training Center Augsburg, talks about requirements and opportunities for apprentices at MAN ES.

MAN People: The number of students at German universities is rising steadily, whereas apprentice numbers are declining. How are things looking for industrial training?

Jörg Widemann: The skills shortage is going to get worse. Which means that industrial training is more important than ever. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the right people. We have to fight for every good applicant, every future skilled worker. And we are doing just that. Our biggest bargaining chip in this respect is the quality of our training. But we have also improved and speeded up the entire application process, including optimizing our website and making our job portal much simpler to use. With our fast response times, we are still able to acquire terrific young people for our company.

What requirements do apprentices have to meet? There is more to it than grades surely. 

Willingness and commitment are extremely important. First and foremost, a person has to say: “Yes, I want to learn this trade and keep developing.” As trainers, we have to set an example by showing this passion, and living up to our values. We demand respectful interaction and integrity from our apprentices. And not just on paper, but in their day-to-day dealings with each other.

What opportunities do fully qualified apprentices have in their trade?

Performance 2023 means that our situation is not straightforward, of course. The prospects are still good, however. And I am confident that we are on course for growth with our strategy, which will lead to great opportunities in the future too. But good prospects also include being able to contribute to a more sustainable, climate-neutral future. And well-trained, skilled personnel remain important in this respect. So, with an apprenticeship at MAN ES, you are spot on.