The shortage of skilled workers is a burden on the industry. According to a report by the Institute of the German Economy, the labour market is lacking hundreds of thousands of qualified skilled workers. Experts warn of a structural talent shortage. In view of this, the lighthouse project against the shortage of skilled workers at a Krefeld foundry has received a lot of attention.
The manufacturer of large castings launched an educational offensive at the beginning of 2023, in which unemployed or jobless people could start a partial qualification as foundry mechanics. The Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) in Krefeld supported the foundry in its search for candidates. The project is also supported by the Niederrhein Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the Teutloff Training Centre.
"For many, the minimum wage was no longer sufficient to provide for their families in the face of rising inflation. Some were also shamelessly exploited by their former employers. With us they hope to receive good pay for honest work, a regular working life in fixed shifts and, of course, security for the future," says Thomas Handke, project manager at Siempelkamp Giesserei.
"The new colleagues bring many different experiences with them. Of course, we will also benefit from this training. Especially fitters or logisticians who have now found their way to us via the partial qualification can certainly contribute to further optimising our own processes," says Georg Geier, managing director of Siempelkamp Giesserei.
The manufacturer of large castings launched an educational offensive at the beginning of 2023, in which unemployed or jobless people could start a partial qualification as foundry mechanics. The Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) in Krefeld supported the foundry in its search for candidates. The project is also supported by the Niederrhein Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the Teutloff Training Centre.
From hairdresser to budding foundry mechanic
The 20 participants from Syria, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey are permanently employed during the six-month training. After completing the partial qualification, they receive a certificate. The prospective foundry mechanics previously worked as hairdressers, hotel clerks or in retail, among other jobs. They also include university graduates whose degrees are not recognized in Germany."For many, the minimum wage was no longer sufficient to provide for their families in the face of rising inflation. Some were also shamelessly exploited by their former employers. With us they hope to receive good pay for honest work, a regular working life in fixed shifts and, of course, security for the future," says Thomas Handke, project manager at Siempelkamp Giesserei.
Eliminating deficits, using knowledge
Integration plays an important role in the partial qualification. For example, some of the new employees have problems with the German language and have not yet had the opportunity to learn German. Working in a team is supposed to eliminate language deficits. In addition to special German lessons, the company relied on a constant exchange within the team."The new colleagues bring many different experiences with them. Of course, we will also benefit from this training. Especially fitters or logisticians who have now found their way to us via the partial qualification can certainly contribute to further optimising our own processes," says Georg Geier, managing director of Siempelkamp Giesserei.
