Training as a mechatronics engineer at Schaeffler- Field report
"In my apprenticeship, I not only learn how to make electrical circuits and program in automation technology, but also how to mill and turn metal parts. At the beginning of our training, we acquire a lot of basic knowledge that we can put into practice in various departments during the second half of our training. I think that's great, because that way we're not thrown in at the deep end.
At the moment I'm working in special mechanical engineering – I really like it here. I can very well imagine working in this field after my education and further training as a technician. In any case I stay with Schaeffler. All doors are open to me here, that gives me security."
Marco Niersberger, Trainee Mechatronics at Schaeffler
Training as a mechatronics technician at Schott
Steffen has what some recruiters would describe as an 'unusual biography'. His resume is by no means straightforward. "I'm already a special specimen here as an apprentice," he says, grinning.
After all, he's already 30, did his military service after graduating from high school, dropped out of college three times, and then worked independently for two years. Does he regret any of his decisions? Not in the least!
Mechatronics technician: interface between industrial mechanic, electronics technician, computer scientist
"I wouldn't want to miss out on the experience I've gained so far," says the apprentice, who began his training as a mechatronics technician at Schott AG in Mainz two years ago. "This profession is more or less the interface between the industrial mechanic, the electronics technician and the computer scientist," he explains. "For example, we deal with CAD programs and plant controls, lay cables, wire control cabinets and learn everything about metalworking, for example drilling, turning and milling."
Training as a mechatronics technician: Secondary school leaving certificate or A-levels required
For this training, at least a good secondary school leaving certificate is required: "It's no walk in the park. Those with an intermediate level of maturity really have their work cut out for them," emphasizes Steffen. He finds learning easier because of his study background – but he never feels underchallenged: "There are enough practical and theoretical things I didn't know yet." In addition, he rarely has a monotonous workday at Schott. "Once a week, we have a continuing education course in English. It's voluntary, but everyone participates – from machine and plant operators to merchants," says Steffen. "Furthermore, in my free time I attend a CAD course and every Friday I study French for two hours, for a three-week student exchange from the vocational school in Mainz," he enumerates.
Staying abroad during training as a mechatronics engineer
Schott also supports its apprentices in exchanges with other countries: "I applied for a two- to three-month assignment at one of Schott's foreign sites. If the performance is right and the trainee does not miss any important school and training content, the company tries to make this experience abroad possible," says Steffen. For the 30-year-old, the decision in favor of the apprenticeship was not at the same time a decision against academic studies: In parallel to his everyday apprenticeship, he is completing a distance learning course for a bachelor's degree in mechatronics. It costs him an extra ten to 15 hours of work a week, "but Schott supports it if he does very well and finances part of his studies," says Steffen. Based on his experience, he recommends that everyone first do an apprenticeship after graduating from high school: "In three years of apprenticeship, you develop as a person. Maybe you've discovered your weakness for technology or you know for sure that you'd rather manage or do research – then you just add a technician or a bachelor's degree on top of it," says Steffen. "To anyone who asks me, I say, 'Get an education in the profession you think you'd like.' And after that, all paths are open to you!"
Steffen Schwarz started studying during his apprenticeship as a mechatronics technician at Schott AG
Training as a mechatronics technician at Mercedes
Despite very good performance – the study was Jurgen too general and too theoretical. That's why he dropped out of his mechanical engineering studies at Nuremberg UAS.
Today, he is training as a motor vehicle mechatronics technician at the Lohlein Mercedes dealership in Wendelstein, Germany.
The company was already known to him – a fellow student had completed his training there before graduation. He was Jurgen's first source of information, followed by Internet research.
Since June 2009, he has been working in the field that corresponds to his interests: "My goals were always fixed on the subject of 'cars'." goal achieved – every day, everything revolves around just that: "Often, it's just customer service that's due, but of course there are also larger projects, for example, when we have to take the whole engine apart due to a defective cylinder head gasket," explains the 22-year-old.
Despite daily practice: no training without theory. Thanks to study experience, cramming is not difficult for him. "Learning is far from over," knows Jurgen.
Eventually, he would like to join a master technique course after his education. He needs that for his next goal: "In the not too distant future, I would like to own my own workshop like my father did."
Jurgen Holler, Mercedes
Mechatronics technician at AIDA Cruises
"I've always been fascinated by ships, and from tenth grade on, I knew I wanted to work on a ship someday. That's why I decided to train as a mechatronics engineer at AIDA Cruises after graduating from high school.
Training as a mechatronics engineer on a ship
13 weeks a year I attend vocational school, on board I spend about five months. I go through many technical areas. The best thing about it is definitely that you get to see so many different places and wake up somewhere different almost every morning. But the biggest challenge in this is also finding your way around an unfamiliar environment with lots of new faces, without being able to return to the familiar home in the evening.
but you quickly get used to it! In addition, you quickly get to know nice people who, in case of need, show you the right way to your own cabin again."
Corinna Stolzle wakes up in a different place every morning during her apprenticeship
Automotive mechatronics technician at the BMW Group
Why did you choose the BMW Group as your employer??
I find it incredibly exciting to do an apprenticeship in a market-leading company whose products are known all over the world and which offers the opportunity to work abroad. Also, my employer looks out for the interests of each employee.
Why did you decide against studying?
Studying right after graduating from high school was out of the question for me. I first wanted to get to know everyday working life and earn my own money so that I could finance most of my studies myself afterwards. In addition, I can orient myself well in my practice-oriented training. With the practical knowledge I have, it will be much easier for me to study engineering.
How is your training as an automotive mechatronics technician structured?? The training at the BMW Group is very interesting and we learn the different contents in very different areas and departments spread all over the plant. To learn how an engine is built, for example, you visit the engine construction department for a few weeks and can help assemble the engines there yourself.
Stefanie Geiger gets to work on engines at BMW as a trainee
Mechatronics technician at Vattenvall
" In school, I was always interested in physics. I found it exciting how theoretical physical relationships can be logically linked to reality. Since I come from Lusatia and Vattenfall has a high profile there, too, I was recommended to apply there. Because of this I visited the open day at the power plant 'Schwarze Pumpe'. There I was able to get an insight into the training at Vattenfall Europe.
Training as a mechatronics technician: theory and practice
I am now in my second year of training out of a total of three: In the first two years, we receive very comprehensive basic training in all areas of the profession. In the third year of the apprenticeship, we are assigned to the field, and then we have an insight into the daily work in the power plant and in the network areas. There we put our acquired knowledge into practice and actively cooperate with local employees in the value creation process.
The biggest change for me from school to training was that I wasn't used to the physical work, so I usually fell asleep right in front of the TV after work. Little has changed in terms of learning, as we also write tests at work. I can only advise high school graduates to inform themselves comprehensively about what is required and expected of them. An internship in the run-up to an apprenticeship is advantageous in personal decision-making."
Logical connections, Maxi Gohring is doing a mechatronics apprenticeship at Vattenvall.
Mechatronics engineer at E.ON.
"I have been with the company since September 2008 E.ON power plants operate. I started out as a student in a practical training program in electrical engineering. But I decided to train as a mechatronics technician because the theoretical part of my studies was too much for me. Already in school I had interest in scientific subjects.
To the E.ON power plants I came because of an ad in the newspaper. I did some research on the Internet and decided to apply for the extremely interesting combination of studies in electrical engineering and mechatronics education. Today, I attend various courses ranging from metal work such as turning and milling to electrical courses such as PLC and metrology. I find the interaction of metal and electrical engineering, in a mechatronic system, particularly interesting. Making workpieces exactly to measure is the challenge for mechatronics engineers.
Switching from learning during baccalaureate to practical work was easy for me as it was a welcome change. For other high school graduates who would like to enter a similar profession, I would advise them to read up on the profession beforehand and definitely take the chance to do an internship in the desired profession."
Anna-Maria Jurgens is training to be a mechatronics technician at E.ON.
Mechatronics technician at BASF
Many things come together in the offspring. The grandfather was an automotive electronics technician and the father a machinist – grandson and son Carsten Ledig is training to be a mechatronics technician, the connection of both directions. The 20-year-old, who is in his first year of training at BASF in Ludwigshafen, has enjoyed technical and mathematical questions since early childhood. "Even as a small child, I was interested in this subject," he says, adding that he was encouraged at an early age: "I got involved a lot with electrical construction kits and, when I was twelve, I helped my father wrench on motorcycles. "
Carsten graduated from high school with a degree in mathematics, chemistry and geography and knew which direction his professional future should take. Choosing a career or college after high school means stress for many students and includes moments full of unanswered questions. The assessment of one's own abilities is often difficult, the connection to practice is missing. This can be remedied with a little commitment. First of all, this requires a certain concretization of the desired profession. Of course, no one expects a sophisticated expert concept – just a healthy self-assessment. 'What can I do? What do I want?' The answers to these questions are the basis for the next step: the practical implementation.
Carsten advises undecided people: "An internship in the relevant career field is very helpful." The young man also sees talking to friends who work in the desired profession as a good way to learn more about the training he wants to pursue. No boss will mind if interested students observe the work flow in the company for a day. Of course, one day says little, but it is often enough to discern a trend. This is also the opinion of the mechatronics apprentice, who emphasizes that "gaining practical experience is very helpful. In any case, you should inform yourself early".
Carsten Ledig was able to get the information first hand. His father has been working at BASF for almost 20 years, so Carsten learned a lot about the company. He was able to answer specific questions about training from a friend who is also doing an apprenticeship as a mechatronics engineer at BASF. For the last open questions the internet helped. The sum of the information was convincing: since September 2009, he has now been doing his apprenticeship, which he describes as very versatile and varied. In the mechanical field, he machined workpieces with a drill press right at the start of his apprenticeship, and in the electrical field, he dealt with such things as building circuits to control three-phase motors. In addition, there is the information technology aspect in his teaching. The young trainee not only learns the basics, but is also integrated into the ongoing process of the company. "In my last practical phase, I was directly involved in setting up an experimental facility with smaller tasks. "The saying "years of apprenticeship are not years of masterhood" does not apply to Carsten.
The change from school education to apprenticeship was not difficult for him. He points out that many a school day has lasted longer than a normal working day now. However, he is also aware "that the learning curve doesn't stop ". However, learning is easier if the work is fun. And who knows, maybe this enjoyment of the job will be passed on to the next generation again.
In purely mechatronic terms – Carsten Ledig is in his first year of training as a mechatronics engineer at BASF.
Mechatronics technician at Bayer
"I am training to be a mechatronics technician at Bayer in Leverkusen. The phases in which we are taught at the vocational school or deployed in the training workshop or later in the company, each block takes place at our company.
What excites me most about this job is its versatility. There are the electronics, the mechanics – in which also quite practically something must be filed sometimes – in addition, the information-technical or the automation technology, for which one may use even programming techniques at the PC. Later, you can also specialize even further. It's never boring here in any case."
Sebastian Schade completes technical training in blocks
Automotive mechatronics technician at Rheinbahn AG
"I wanted to turn my hobby into a profession, so I decided to train as an automotive mechatronics technician specializing in commercial vehicle technology.
At Rheinbahn AG, there are new challenges every day, which I think is great. My daily tasks include maintaining and servicing the buses, carrying out repairs and making minor alterations when new technology has to be installed. An important condition for this occupation is that one can tackle – the hands can become already times dirty.
Craftsmanship should bring interested parties also and you should have fun working in a team. Working on heavy vehicles and the diversity in this profession are particularly exciting, there are new challenges every day. As a trainee, you also get to know many departments, so you first see what the Rheinbahn AG does everything."
Kim-Maurice Lorenz provides a good ride