Again more training positions in the region in 2009

17.10.2008

For the training year 2009/2010, young persons with learning problems are again to be given the opportunity of learning the trade of precision metalworker, thanks to newly created training positions in local industry. This was the result o the latest meting of the training initiative held in Glatten at the invitation of Dr. Kurt Schmalz, managing director of J. Schmalz GmbH and founder of the initiative. The training initiative was founded in 2006 and consists of representatives of the companies Schmalz, Arburg, Bosch-Rexroth, fischer, Homag, Leuco, L´Orange and, for the first time, Memminger-IRO, of the Chamber of Trade for the Northern Black Forest, of the local employment agency, of the Administrative District of Freudenstadt, of the Heinrich-Schickhardt School and of the Christophorus Special School. The objective of this working group is to offer, in addition to normal training positions, additional training facilities for young people with learning problems and people leaving special schools. The participating companies wish to comply even better with their social responsibility and to offer more young persons in the region an opportunity to find a training position.

Since the initiative was started, 18 young persons have begun training as precision metalworkers, eight of these in this year. They are learning basic abilities in the areas of metalworking, assembly and repair of parts, machines and other equipment. Their main tasks are turning, drilling and milling of metal parts. The training lasts three years. In addition to the practical training in the factory, the initiative has also created special school classes with intensive teaching for the young persons.

The results of the training initiative speak for themselves: after above-average results in the final examinations, one of the participants was transferred to the third year of the course for industrial mechanics and passed the related examinations in the spring of 2008. A further participant passed his examinations and then moved directly into a normal job as a qualified workman at J. Schmalz GmbH. The current class of trainees, which started in 2007, can also report good progress: the entire class moved on to the second year of training. The feedback from the participating companies and trainers is also positive, and the young persons find the initiative very good and are proud of their new abilities. Dr. Günther, headmistress of the Christopherus School in Freudenstadt, reports that her students are of the opinion "Anyone who gets such a training position has won half the battle."

In order to form a special school class, at least eight young persons who already have trainee contracts are needed. At the moment, however, there are four fewer training positions available. The existing participants in the training initiative have therefore declared their aim of winning further companies in the region for the initiative by the end of this year. Companies who would like to join the initiative will be welcomed with open arms. For more details, interested companies should contact Michael Jost at the Chamber of Trade for the North Black Forest, Marie-Curie-Straße 2, 72250 Freudenstadt, telephone 07441/86052-16.

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