Print version Recommend this page Press release
26/ 2012
Bonn, 27.06.2012
Top training opportunities in the innovative plastics industry
Mechanics in plastics and rubber processing: initial vocational training modernised
Everyone uses the products - but who actually makes them? From components for medical and communications devices, to computers, cars and the humble lunchbox - technical innovations and everyday objects are unthinkable without novel plastics and modern processing techniques. Over 400,000 people work in the German plastics industry, and the sector is growing. Plastics and rubber processing involves ultra-technological processes combined with skilled-craft techniques, and many companies in the sector are highly specialised. They need mechanics in plastics and rubber processing to be rigorously trained in industrial processes yet versatile enough to meet the special requirements of particular companies. To ensure that this is the case, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) on behalf of the federal government worked jointly with experts nominated by the social partners to reform the training regulation for the occupation of mechanic in plastics and rubber processing. The modernised training regulation enters force on 1 August.
The general training plan for the three-year apprenticeship has been restructured. Key changes included beefing up initial vocational training on the properties of materials, and establishing greater relevance to practice by bringing production planning and control into the first phase of initial vocational training. Moreover companies and trainees will have a choice between seven specialisations in future: mouldings, semi-finished products, components, multilayered rubber parts, plastic windows, fibre-reinforced technology, and compound and masterbatch production. "Compound" is the technical term for a composite material, while "masterbatch" is a plastic additive in granular form. Another newly introduced feature is the extended final examination: the first part of the qualifying examination is taken early, before the end of the second year of training, and the results make up 25% of the final grade.
Mechanics in plastics and rubber processing are trained primarily in industrial companies working in the plastics and rubber-processing industry. In 2011, training contracts in this occupation were signed with 2,713 new apprentices throughout Germany, of which 182 were women. The leading regions are Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg. These federal states account for more than half of all existing training contracts. The collectively agreed training allowance rises over the course of three years from EUR 734 to EUR 780 to EUR 851.
This initial vocational training programme gives access to career progression routes with attractive prospects such as advanced vocational training to become an "Industrial supervisor specialising in plastic and rubber technologies" or a "State certified technical engineer specialising in plastic and rubber technologies".
More information is available (in German) on the BIBB website at www.bibb.de/neue-berufe-2012
The brochure "Zukunftsbranche Kunststoff - Azubis gesucht!" ("Innovative plastics industry seeks trainees") published by the JOBSTARTER programme office at BIBB can be downloaded free of charge from www.jobstarter.de/de/2450.php (in German).
Images are available at www.bibb.de/pressefotos.
Contact person at BIBB:
Magret Reymers, e-mail: reymers@bibb.de
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