Freudenberg welcomes 124 new apprentices

Weinheim, Germany – The number of apprenticeships at the Freudenberg Group in Weinheim remains high after a 40 percent increase in the previous year. ‘As a global company with technologies for the future, from mobility and energy supply to medical technology, Freudenberg is sending a clear signal against the shortage of skilled workers in its 175th year of existence,’ said Dr Frank Heislitz, CTO of the Freudenberg Group, welcoming the new intake of trainees. ‘It also demonstrates the responsibility we take to invest in the long-term future of young people.’ Raúl González, Head of the Training Centre, added: ‘70 young talents are starting their training at Freudenberg, mainly in technical fields. The opportunities afterwards are also very good: the retention rate is 95 per cent. We are also training 54 apprentices for partners in the network.’ A total of 124 young people are starting their training at the modern training centre, an increase of around 8 percent. Worldwide, the Freudenberg Group is training around 500 young people in 15 countries for the labour market of the future.

‘Freudenberg offers training in a modern learning environment that includes digital learning and working with high-tech machines in interdisciplinary teams and an international working environment,’ says González. All training areas in the training center use digital devices such as touch monitors or tablets. An area for independent learning also enables interactive learning. The trainees and students work in interdisciplinary teams, create learning maps and solve tasks in teamwork.

One example of digital learning is virtual welding: a trainee sits in front of a large monitor. She wears a helmet with an integrated screen on her head. At the same time, she guides a welding torch with her hand. The movement can be seen on the large screen in front of her and is performed on a simulated workpiece: virtual welding offers beginners the opportunity to learn welding processes step by step in individualized exercises. The device realistically simulates the welding process. It also provides a playful incentive for the trainees, as it works with points and a high score, similar to computer games. The advantages: 30 per cent less raw materials are required and 25 per cent less electricity. This also saves half a ton of CO2.

Freudenberg offers three of the ten most popular apprenticeships: Electronics technician, mechatronics technician and industrial clerk. There are over 20 training opportunities in total: Training is provided in 15 apprenticeships as well as ten dual study programs in the fields of business, engineering and IT together with the DHBW in Mannheim. Applications for 2025 can already be submitted on the Freudenberg training website at ausbildung.freudenberg.com. For the first time, an event management assistant apprenticeship is being offered.