metal working training
Metalwork Training
Vocabulary
| piece | demand | tool maker |
| tinker | workforce | heart’s content |
| put up | stage (2) | among them |
| funny | apply (2) | enterprise |
| grind | in depth | time pressure |
| polish | space (2) | patient (2) |
| fun | coat (2) | apprenticeship |
| highly | sponsor | component |
| trend | involve | motivated |
| hope | coolant | demographic |
| mayor | prevent | make sure |
| drill | essential | medium-sized |
| acquire | apprentice | large-scale |
| phase | provide | return on investment |
| assign | deal with | off our shoulder |
| rather | on paper |
Video
Transcript
Dennis Glasenapp is training to be a tool maker. He can tinker with these practice pieces to his heart’s content. Later, he be using what he learns here on real machines.
Trainees like him are in high demand in Germany.
Five companies joined in in financing this training center called Bang. The training program is in three stages.
“It’s essential to coat the parts with coolants. Just a little, of course, because the cutter will be applying a lot of force to it.”
The trainees are learning to drill, grind, and polish on new machines.
“That’s what you’re here for: to learn something. No problem.”
Thanks to the center, Glasenapp can learn near his home.
“What I really like about Bang is that you can practice on every single machine here. You don’t have the time pressure you would in a company. You have enough space as you can see, and nice instructor who explain everything patiently, even if you don’t understand it the first time,” says Glasenapp.
The business owners put up a total of 500,000 euros. They’re celebrating the opening of the Bang training in the next hall.
Holger Piening, an apprenticeship sponsor explains the purpose of Bang.
“It’s getting harder and harder to get good, highly motivated, skilled workers. We know about the demographic trends. So we have to make sure we get young people involved in industrial occupations, and train them.”
The mayor is here too. Many young people have left the region for industrial areas of southern Germany.
Business owner Marion Ottemeier-Esken hopes to prevent that.
There are a number of metal working enterprises in the Wilafeld region. Among them, Ottemeier-Esken medium-sized machine producer.
Her apprentice is already producing components for large-scale measuring instruments.
He acquired his skills from the training center. And the firm provides the second phase of his apprenticeship.
He earns 800 euros a month. Ottemeier-Esken put 100,000 euros in the training center. She’s counting on a return on her investment.
“Before Bang was started, we had to take care of our trainees ourselves, which meant we had to assign additional personnel to deal with the extra work. And Bang is taking a lot of that off our shoulders.
The technical school provides Glasenapp’s third training phase.
Here a group has to work together to find the solution to fix a broken machine. They work it out on paper first.
“What we have here is a small tool. And it’s got signs of wear. But now we have to remove these and produce new ones. But since we don’t have the drawings, we have to do them over.”
If there’s anything the trainees miss at the technical school, they can review it in depth at the training center.
Ottemeier-Esken would rather her trainees stay with her company. She’s hoping if she provides good training opportunities, they’ll do just that.
“It’s important to us that our employees enjoy working here. If they have fun with their work, the product will be good. And the workforce will feel comfortable, and stay happy and healthy with their jobs.”
The three stage training concept opens up more job opportunities than almost any generation has had before.
Questions
1. There is a big demand for skilled workers in Germany. Is this correct or wrong?
2. What is Bang? Is the government financing it? How much did the business owners contribute?
3. Do they have all the machines to practice on? What are examples of skills that the trainees learn? Is there any time pressure?
4. What is the “demographic trend”?
5. Where have many young people moved to? Why did they move?
6. Describe the three stages of training. Which is better, to train new employees entirely at work, at the training center or the technical school, or a combination of all three? Why?
7. It important that the workers feel happy at the company. Yes or no? Why or why not? Do business owners want a high or low turnover rate?
A. I have undergone technical training. Yes or no? Have your friends had technical training?
B. Have you been an apprentice, an intern or a trainee?
C. Is there a shortage of skilled workers in your city or country? Is there a demand for skilled, technical workers?
D. There is a glut (excess) of university graduates. Is this correct or wrong?
E. There should be more training centers and apprenticeships. Do you agree? Who should sponsor them?
