In this second part of the interview the two apprentices Sina Detlefsen and Lukas Lachmann and, both their training manager Paul Molter and Matthias Fitzner, the long-standing trainer responsible for the department ‘Process Engineering’, have given us an insight around the topic ‘Vocational Training at Joh. Clouth’.

Start of the Training

Prior to the start in September, in summer the prospective apprentices meet the apprentices having absolved their first years of training already.  <<That is great, as this way one gets to know each other before the start and outside the company. This year we went hiking near the Wupper auxiliary dam and then had a common meal in a restaurant>> Sina tells.   

<<At the start of the training, each apprentice ideally goes through the production, from the beginning to the end, thus gaining insights as to how the production is controlled. This is the best way to learn about the products and the individual production steps.>> Matthias  Fitzner explains.  <<In that wise, the processes become clear, too, and the apprentice afterwards – when working in the commercial departments – has a better understanding for the correlations.>>

<<That’s right>> both apprentices nod. <<Although the work in the production might be unfamiliar, it is exciting and important, too.>>

A visit in a paper mill is part of starting the training as well. <<Here one can see the Joh. Clouth products directly in use. That really is impressing!>> Sina reports. 

 

One Year with Clouth – What was it like?

After one year each of the two already has gained a good overview on the work of an industrial business management assistant. A trainer team of 11 people from the various departments supervises the apprentices during their training and supports them at their time on the practical part of their training.

To some of the departments like Sales, Controlling or Production Planning, the apprentices build up a more intensive relationship and especially working in the Sales Department the two of them found interesting. <<For me, I can imagine working in the Sales Department later as well>> Lukas says . <<But  working in the Controlling Department really is exciting, too. The number of figures collected and compared there does provide a good view on the interrelationships within the company.>>

<<I have liked working in the Controlling Department as well, it is like an interface to all departments.>> Sina agrees.

For the moment, Lukas is working in the Financial Accounting Department. Despite some prejudices he firstly had, he now finds the work interesting and says: <<I, in particular, like the togetherness at Clouth. There is a good atmosphere, the colleagues are nice and always explain things patiently. In this, enjoying the job and being part of the team do not fall short.>>

<<At Clouth, we, the apprentices, may work at an early stage already most independently.>> Sina adds. 

Paul Molter explains that there are always tasks which can and should be handled by the apprentices – following an instruction – on their own. <<It is important to learn about the practice of our industrial undertaking. At the vocational schools one learns about the ideal way. In reality, the processes are different from that as each enterprise works a bit different, or a customer needs a product ad hoc and the inquiry then does not take its ‘normal’ course. >>

<<Besides the Process Engineering, the Sales Department, and the Controlling Department during their training the apprentices pass through the following other departments: Human Resources, Financial Accounting, Purchasing, Logistics, Marketing, Technical Support, and Order Preparation. <<The training to become an industrial business management assistant really is fun. It is versatile, one learns a lot and for the future, too, all departments are open.>> Sina is happy to say.

 

Tips Straight at First Hand for an Application at Clouth

<<I had asked different persons to read my application letter to gather many judgements. That helped a lot!>>

<<A good tip!>> Paul Molter throws in. <<The application letter is the entrance ticket. If it is well drafted and arouses interest, that already stands for a good start.>>.

<<I recommend to previously do a traineeship in a company>> Sina says. <<Simply address to the preferred company asking whether they offer such traineeship. It helped me a lot to make my decision for this apprenticeship and this company, as well!>>

And Matthias Fitzner adds: <<It simply is important to continuously learn on the job. Who knows, wherever the road will take us.>>

Interested in an apprenticeship at Joh. Clouth?

On our career-webiste you can learn all details on an apprenticeship at Clouth and how Clouth does as an employer and there you, as well will find, our applicant portal.

More articles to the topic ‘vocational training’ can be found here in the Clouth:Ticker, too.

The editors would like to thank the four participants for the interesting discussion.