Schaeffler opens state-of-the-art training center at the Schweinfurt location

Ceremonial opening of the new training center at the Schaeffler location in Schweinfurt: (from left to right) Theresia Nicola-Mann, Head of Human Resources at the Schweinfurt location; Dr. Stefan Spindler, Board Member for Industry; Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler AG; Corinna Schittenhelm, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director; Jürgen Ziegler, Regional CEO Europe; Jürgen Wechsler, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board; Petru-Catalin Scafaru, Plant Manager Schweinfurt; Nicola Braun, trainee industrial clerk.

The training center is a beacon project in the education world of Schaeffler
Almost six million euros invested
Advanced qualification to prepare for digitization and Industry 4.0
Schaeffler has opened its new, ultra-modern training center at the Schweinfurt location. In a construction period of around one year, an educational world was created that, in addition to the classic training content, prepares young people for the challenges of digitization and Industry 4.0.

Education campus with a new concept
With an investment of just under six million euros and a fundamentally new concept, Schaeffler has implemented a training world that has so far been unique to the automotive and industrial supplier. An environment was created in bright and light-flooded rooms, which promotes project-oriented and interdisciplinary cooperation between the trainees. Georg FW Schaeffler, family shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board, called the new training center a lighthouse project and emphasized that the company has been training for more than 70 years: “If you look at the history here at the Schweinfurt location, then the practice of training is even enough back over a hundred years. Training has always been an important commitment, but also a matter close to the heart of Schaeffler's family shareholders. For my mother and me, training and further education continue to be very important in our company. Education and training is of particular value for a large international company that is facing global competition and is facing intense technical change. We can only operate and survive successfully in this challenging environment if we have the best possible level of training, extensive know-how and outstanding technical expertise. "

New work and robots
Modern workplace concepts were also implemented to redesign the training center. This means that not every trainee has his or her own permanent job, but only uses the machines and tools that are needed for the learning content and phases that are just around the corner. The machine capacities and resources are reserved and booked via electronic systems.

The central point of the training concept is the so-called "world of thought" as a communication center and place for intellectual work. This area is surrounded by eleven technology cubes in which practical training takes place. This also includes robotics, CNC technology, additive manufacturing processes with 3D printers and augmented reality applications. Thanks to the new concept, theory and practice flow seamlessly into one another on the approximately 4,000 square meters of the training center.

Training and qualifications for the future
Corinna Schittenhelm, Labor Director and Chief Human Resources Officer, was enthusiastic about the prerequisites that were created with the Schweinfurt training center to cope with the effects of the transformation: “We have to have the right training and further education opportunities and encourage our employees to take advantage of these opportunities , It is our job to prepare the employees in the best possible way for the future opportunities that the change process brings. This educational campus is an excellent example of this. ”In future, the facilities of the training center should not only be used for training, but also for the further training of employees.

In this context, Corinna Schittenhelm explained that the Schaeffler Academy has now also been certified by TüV Süd as an educational institution in accordance with the Accreditation and Admission Ordinance on Employment Promotion. In this way, Schaeffler also has the opportunity to receive further training and qualifications for employees with funding. The Schaeffler Academy has already expanded its training catalog to make employees fit for the future issues of e-mobility, digitalization and Industry 4.0.

Training in Schweinfurt
Dr. Stefan Spindler, Board Member for Industry, emphasized that Schaeffler has always trained for its own needs and regularly takes on apprentices if the performance is good: “The Schweinfurt location is currently training a total of around 300 young people. Throughout Germany, Schaeffler offers around 1,400 young people training at the highest level at more than 20 locations. ”The technology company offers training in 23 commercial, technical or commercial professions, as well as the option of 12 different dual study programs.