DEUTZ apprenticeship receives honors from Cologne Chamber of Commerce

Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) has certified the excellence of the DEUTZ AG apprenticeship program. For the third time, the training center of the Cologne engine manufacturer received certification from the naming the company "Die Besten," Best.

With the certificate "Die Besten," Cologne IHK expresses its appreciation for the outstanding accomplishments the DEUTZ training center has demonstrated by the excellent results achieved by DEUTZ apprentices in their exams as well. This year, DEUTZ exam candidates once again scored significantly higher than the chamber average. The company has been conducting initial job training at its operations since 1919, and teaches job market entrants technical and business skills in eight different apprenticeship programs. The comprehensive educational offer is augmented by various measures. By regularly participating in the action day "Girls Day," for instance, DEUTZ AG intensifies its effort to spur enthusiasm for technical and business-related education among girls. Another venue to which DEUTZ has contributed for many years is the annual initiative "Erlebnis Maschinen-bau," Experience Mechanical Engineering. This event is designed to provide young people with first impressions of the work offered to employees at a mechanical engineering company. In addition, DEUTZ also conducts job training for outside companies.

Moreover, for more than two decades there has been close cooperation with IN VIA Köln, a joint program with DEUTZ carried out on behalf of the German Employment Agency to prepare young people for the job market. At the DEUTZ Training Center, young people embarking on their first jobs take a 10-month basic course. It serves as an introduction to basic techniques of metal processing. At the same time, they get an opportunity to prepare for a skilled profession.

"We aim to provide our apprentices with the best introduction to their professional future. This is our objective and our motivation. We understand the award from IHK not only as a recognition but also as an incentive to live up to this responsibility every single day," says Frank Opitz, Director of Training at DEUTZ in Cologne.

"We are especially pleased by the honors our Training Center received from the IHK. Cologne IHK paid tribute to the performance of our trainers and apprentices last year already. We feel greatly honored to be counted among the ‘Best’ once again this year," says Dr. Margarete Haase, Member of DEUTZ AG Supervisory Board.

In September 2013, 36 new apprentices started their education at DEUTZ AG, among them three young women. Currently, the company employs 139 apprentices at its facilities across Germany.