25 years of know-how: trainers and IHK examiners shape successful careers

Published at: Mar 8, 2023

  • People in focus
  • It's THIEME-Time

We meet Ralf Mauer and Michael Bammert in the lounge! Both have been trainers at THIEME for many years and were awarded the Silver Badge of Honour (25 years) as IHK* examiners in the summer of 2022. Reason enough for us to conduct an interview with the two gentlemen about their award, their tasks as examiners and their experiences as trainers at Thieme. IHK* = Chamber of Industry and Commerce

25 years of expertise: Trainers and IHK examiners shape successful careers

It's Thieme Time
It’s THIEME time!
 

Ralf Maurer and Michael Bammert something in common! Both have been long-standing instructors at THIEME and were honored in the summer of 2022 with the Silver Medal of Honor (25 years) as IHK  (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) examiners.

Reason enough for us to interview these two gentlemen about their accolades, their roles as examiners, and their experiences as instructors at Thieme.

Ralf Maurer has been with the company for 35 years. He has been working as an instructor for 27 years and has been serving as the Head of Training and IHK examiner since 2000.

His career at Thieme began in 1986 as an apprentice industrial mechanic. In 1994, he completed his further education as a mechanical engineering technician and has been the Head of Training for the entire company since 2000.

His workplace is the training workshop in the Printing Systems business unit.

Michael Bammert has been with the company for 38 years and has also been an instructor and IHK examiner for 28 years.

His career at Thieme started in 1984 as a simple foamer, then a setter, and later a shift supervisor. In 1992, he obtained the title of Industrial Master in Plastics and Rubber and subsequently became the Production Manager in the Automotive division. For the following 22 years, he served as the Plant Manager for the Polyurethane division.

At the age of 58, due to health reasons, he stepped down and is currently working as a shift supervisor for molded parts in the Foam division of the Polyurethane business unit.

How did you become instructors / IHK examiners?

 

In his youth, Michael Bammert led several youth groups, such as the Rural Youth. For over 10 years, he was a youth group leader in tent and summer camps. During this time, he also organized the first disco events in his hometown together with a friend to bring young people from the surrounding areas together.

After completing his training as a Plastics and Rubber Master at Thieme and finding joy in working with young people, he felt it was time for him to become an instructor. Additionally, Thieme needed skilled professionals for foam production, and 80 percent of plastics specialists come from the injection molding sector. Therefore, it was important to Mr. Bammert to train and support the company's own talent.

The management at that time liked this idea and immediately proposed and registered him as an IHK examiner.

What are the main tasks and requirements of the THIEME Head of Training?

 

In many other companies, applicants are tested for their suitability for the company through an aptitude test.

However, Ralf Maurer takes his time with the applicants. In a comprehensive interview, he thoroughly assesses them. The decision regarding which applicant is suitable for an apprenticeship at Thieme and fits into the team is mainly made by him, after consultation and approval from the management.

He relies on his intuition and gut feeling - and in 99% of cases, this has worked excellently so far.

His main task as an instructor is to shape the young individuals and accompany them on their journey into their professional life.

In the first 6-8 weeks, there is a basic course!

 

All apprentices - regardless of whether they are hired for the Printing Systems - Mechanical Engineering division or for the Polyurethane - Plastics Processing division - go through a basic course in the first 6-8 weeks!

This foundational course covers fundamental aspects. It helps the new apprentice reach the level of maturity required to start their training.

At this stage, the focus is not primarily on imparting specialized knowledge but on developing an interest and sense of technology or gaining a feeling for the material, for example.

However, fundamental aspects are also taught: How do we communicate in the company, how do we behave towards colleagues?

What requirements should an instructor fulfill?

 

An instructor plays a crucial role in vocational training. Besides possessing technical knowledge, what prerequisites should an instructor have?

Here, Mr. Bammert mentioned the most important prerequisites:

Empathy is essential: A good instructor should be able to put themselves in the shoes of their apprentices and be able to address their needs and problems. They should be able to motivate and support them. The instructor must be a figure of respect but also a fatherly friend.

Mr. Maurer adds: The ability to invent motivation!

They must be capable of conveying complex information in a understandable and accessible manner.

And patience - patience - patience! 😀

What requirements should a good examiner have?

 

It is evident that an examiner should primarily have in-depth knowledge and skills in examination methods and techniques. What else should they possess?

They act as a kind of referee and should have a sense of justice. They should be impartial and unbiased to ensure a fair evaluation of the examination results.

Empathy is crucial here as well! The examiner should be able to empathize with the examinee and address their needs and questions.

The examiner should have a sense of truth and understanding of contexts. Did the apprentice really complete the task, or did they simply memorize it?

Additionally, they should be able to adapt to different examination situations and respond flexibly to unforeseen circumstances.

Being a trainer is a responsible and motivating task.

What benefits do you derive for yourself as a trainer?

 

😁 Both laugh and answer spontaneously:

 We engage with a different generation. Through the behavior of the younger generation, we stay current and in tune with the times.

Sometimes, we question and rethink our own behavior.

We strive to be on the same level as our apprentices.

What do you get out of being an auditor - personally?

 

What really makes being an examiner worthwhile are the experiences we gain, which we can then pass on to our apprentices.

As examiners, we understand the fundamental process of an examination. We can explain that to our apprentices and alleviate their fears about the exam.

Additionally, we get a sense of how questions are asked in the exams, what our apprentices can expect in an exam situation, and we can prepare them accordingly.

We network, exchange ideas, help each other, and sometimes friendships are formed as well.

Looking beyond the company...
 

Good exchange among the trainers and a success for the whole region

 

For the process mechanics, the vocational school was first in faraway "Würzburg" and then for some years in "Donaueschingen" in the Black Forest and thus always connected with a stay at a boarding school.

The training companies in the region and in the industry joined forces and campaigned for a vocational school nearby. For example, a vocational school class was established at the Emmendingen vocational schools for the first time in the 2003/2004 school year. Today, these classes are even run in multiple classes!
 

Practical factory tour in the "Polyurethane" business unit

 

For many years now, in agreement with the Emmendingen Vocational School, we have been offering a factory tour of the plastics plant once a year for the third-year trainees for process mechanics for plastics and rubber. Since the subject of "foaming" only accounts for about 2% of the subject matter, the trainees learn more about this process on site than in any textbook.

What makes an training at THIEME special?

 

In addition to imparting specialized knowledge and exam preparation, we would say it's the personal interaction with the apprentices and, if necessary, providing support when needed.

Here are two examples:

One trainee did not have an easy time and did not necessarily shine in his first exam. Mr. Bammert, however, saw more potential in him than he had shown up to that point and then had a clarifying talk with him and supported him in particular during the remaining ¾ year. The apprentice flourished, passed a good final examination and was even taken on as a skilled worker.

Mr. Maurer noticed with one trainee that he was better suited for another profession offered in the company. The trainee was able to change within the company and he enjoyed the training more from that day on.

Another example:

The trainees at Thieme are an important part of the company from the very beginning. Instead of "hiding" in the training workshop for only 3 or 3.5 years, they spend a large part of their time in the various production areas, work there mostly on their own responsibility and thus also have the opportunity to get to know the products and their later areas of application better.

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