The Future Is Here
A close connection to real-life applications, cutting-edge technology, and an environment that makes learning an absolute joy. That is the recipe for success that Koehler uses to develop young talent into skilled workers who often stay with the company their entire life. The group’s new training center for technical professions is a crystal clear example of this philosophy.
The scene: A spacious building with bright lighting where apprentices work in small teams or alone at workbenches and machines. Instructors move between the apprentices, chat with them, and show or explain things every now and then. Everything is state of the art, the machines are set out in an open floor layout, surrounded by two floors of meeting rooms, break rooms, and offices. “We’re tremendously proud of our new training center,” says Simone Wölfle, the Head of Training and HR Development at the Koehler Group. “Our new Koehler Group Campus provides the ideal conditions for outstanding technical training. Not to mention, of course, that it shows just how important young talent is to our company.”
A training location where comfort reigns supreme
5.7 million euros is the amount that the group invested in the Koehler Group Campus – its training center for general technical professions. It has an area of 3,325 square meters, and provides young individuals with hands-on training in mechatronic, electronic, and industrial mechanical apprenticeships. All with state-of-the-art equipment, including 3D printers, lathes, engravers, control cabinets, milling machines, and welding booths. “We made sure that everything was bright and friendly to ensure our apprentices would always feel comfortable and be able to make the most of their training,” Wölfle explains. 44 young individuals started their apprenticeships there in September of 2024, with a total of 108 skilled workers of the future completing an apprenticeship or dual-study program at Koehler that year.
At its headquarters in Oberkirch, Koehler trains future skilled workers specializing in paper technology.
It goes almost without saying that the company attaches enormous importance to the quality of its training at other sites as well. In Oberkirch, for instance, Koehler is investing 1.1 million euros into its Koehler Paper Campus. This new training center focuses on young talent interested in a career as paper technologists or machine and system operators. “Experts in these areas are pretty much nowhere to be found in the labor market right now,” Simone Wölfle explains. “So we’re training them ourselves.” Koehler is also offering its employees the opportunity to learn papermaking trades as part of an in-service training or career change program.
When our apprentices flourish within the context of their training, we can take that as a sign that we did everything right.
When our apprentices flourish within the context of their training, we can take that as a sign that we did everything right.
Training and HR Development
A proper introduction
In order to attract young individuals to the company as early as possible, Koehler has special offerings for young students. “We like to open our doors to school classes, make sure to go to a bunch of career fairs, and offer job application training for schools,” the Head of Training reports. And it is a successful endeavor, as Koehler has around 60 internship openings for students every year. “We want to support young individuals as they figure out how to make the right choice for themselves.” An approach that continues to bear fruit: Koehler employees have a high level of loyalty to the company, and retention rates are accordingly high. In fact, many of them spend their whole career at Koehler, and some families have worked for the corporate group for generations.
In addition to teaching technical know-how, Koehler attaches enormous importance to genuinely making apprentices a part of the company. “Participation is a huge factor in successful training,” Wölfle explains. “Feeling like you’re part of the team is crucial, and outgoing young individuals in today’s world want to understand how things work and contribute their ideas.” Apprentices who are interested and ready to put in the work can rest assured they have a future – they are guaranteed to receive an employment offer from the company once they finish their apprenticeship. Wölfle stresses that Koehler cultivates commitment: “If you show initiative and want to develop yourself, we’ll be there for you every step of the way.”
Commitment pays off
Wölfle has observed that this mix of encouragement and challenges motivates young individuals: “When our apprentices flourish within the context of their training, we can take that as a sign that we are doing something right.” After completing their apprenticeships, particularly committed and talented employees receive personalized development plans with long-term prospects. Wölfle is naturally proud of all success stories, and says: “This is how we help to bring about truly impressive careers.”
Careers at Koehler
The family business offers apprenticeships for ten different vocational careers in paper technology and other industrial and commercial areas. In addition, young individuals can obtain a dual-study Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering/Automation Engineering or Sustainable Science and Technology, Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems, or Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Management at Koehler.
Apprenticeships
Vocational schools provide instruction on one or two days a week or for block training periods. On the remaining days, apprentices learn the ins and outs of the work involved in their chosen profession, with hands-on experience. In addition, Koehler provides its apprentices with additional development opportunities designed to ensure well-rounded training, including induction days at the beginning of an apprenticeship, project weeks, and social and environmental projects.
Dual-study programs
Dual-study bachelor’s degree programs take three years and are organized together with the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University in Karlsruhe or the Gera-Eseinach Cooperative University. These programs are subdivided into theory and practice terms, each of which lasts three months. For the practice terms, students train at the company, where they become familiar with the individual departments and take care of their first projects.
Sites
The Koehler Group offers training at its headquarters in Oberkirch and its sites in Kehl, Willstätt, Greiz, and Weisenbach.
All available apprenticeships in detail:
To the job vacancies
vocational professions and four dual-study programs are offered by Koehler at four sites.
From Apprentice to Instructor
Bernd Heidenreich initially completed an internship at Koehler and then followed that up with a paper technologist apprenticeship. Today, he is a master paper technologist and one of three instructors responsible for 39 apprentices and two students.
Why did you choose paper technology?
I actually wanted to be a chemical technician originally, but I did an apprenticeship at Koehler after ninth grade and that’s how I learned more about paper technologists. The work has a lot of parallels with the stuff you find in the chemical industry, but the magnitude of things couldn’t be more different. When it comes to papermaking, you need enormous machines that can be up to 80 meters long and need to be controlled by entire teams. That combination of technology, teamwork, and making a sustainable product was just fascinating to me. And, of course, I loved the work environment at Koehler from the the word go.
How did you end up becoming an instructor?
After my apprenticeship, I became second assistant for a paper machine and then first assistant with responsibility for individual assemblies. Finally, I underwent training to become a machine operator and was put in charge of controlling the whole thing. I’d already helped coach some apprentices by that time, and it was something I found really enjoyable. So, when the company was looking for an instructor in 2018, I applied – and got the job! A year later, I started an advanced training program to become a master paper technologist, which is roughly equivalent to a qualification like master electrician or master plumber. Today, I’m in charge of training young talent, and that gives me the opportunity to pass on my skills, experience, and expertise. My team is growing and I am now also overseeing training for another instructor who was a former apprentice – just like me! And to expand my qualifications, I’m currently in a further training program for educators of advanced and continuing education programs.
What does the future look like for paper technologist apprenticeships?
Well, digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence will continue to make great strides. Paper machines will be increasingly controlled using computers, and processes will be optimized further. Obviously that will play an increasingly important role in training, And we’ll be using more digital media in the future within the context of the methods we employ. However, a lot of things will remain unchanged, and human beings will continue to be indispensable as on-site specialists.
