Schlüter’s “KÖNNEN” competition is an in-house project in which trainees must independently manufacture a product. This is not only a test of their skills against one another but is primarily intended to prepare them for the journeyman’s examination.
During a trainer workshop where trainers from all locations discussed the current training situation, the Schlüter trainees traveled to ESG in Anröchte to tour the quarry. Here, Schlüter application consultant René Schauerte explained and demonstrated the Komatsu D61 i-dozer in action. This was, of course, a very special experience, especially for the new trainees who had not yet had any exposure to Komatsu construction machinery. In addition, the trainees gained a better understanding of the concept of the digital construction site. The latest technologies, such as a drone or a rover rod used for surveying the quarry, were explained and presented by Product Sales Manager Moritz Marx. Particularly impressive was the interaction between the Digital Construction Site products and the i-dozer, which is also equipped with intelligent machine control. Afterward, the group returned to Schlüter headquarters for the awards ceremony.
“KÖNNEN” Competition Awards Ceremony, Graduation, and Welcome for New Apprentices
The “KÖNNEN” event has been a fixture on the Schlüter calendar for years, so many colleagues from Erwitte also stopped by to see the award-winning projects. The top three prizes were awarded in separate categories based on the trainees’ years of study. In the first year of training, Niklas Breitenbach (Erwitte) secured first place ahead of Tom Schneider (Kreuztal) and Linus Fredebeul (Erwitte). Tim Geber (Friedrichsthal) won in the second year of training, closely followed by Dieke Ricklefs (Aurich) and Lukas Wild (Himmelkron). In the third year of training, Lars Hense (1st place, Erwitte), Simon Schäfer (Erwitte), and Luca Nykamp (Geeste) took the subsequent places.
The training team led by Ulrich Morth is very satisfied with how this year’s “KÖNNEN” competition went: “With the annual ‘KÖNNEN’ competition, we provide our trainees with ideal preparation for their final exam at the end of their training, as we conduct the competition with both theoretical and practical components under conditions similar to those of the final exam. In addition, our trainees can clearly see what they’re already doing well and where they can still improve before the final exam.”
A special highlight of this year’s KÖNNEN were the graduation ceremonies. In the technical training program, Justin Czerny (Ludwigshafen), Mathis Dittmann (Kreuztal), Jonas Gräbe (Dortmund), and Lars Hense (Erwitte) shortened their training to three years due to their excellent performance and passed the final exam. They now officially hold the title of agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics technician. Mathis Dittmann, Jonas Gräbe, and Lars Hense will be assigned as service technicians in the customer service departments of their respective branches, while Justin Czerny is leaving the family business to strike out on his own. There is also a successful graduate in the commercial training program: Johanna Löbner completed her training by successfully passing her final exam on June 26 and has since been officially certified as a wholesale and foreign trade management specialist. She has been working in CRM for several months and is now an integral part of the department.
In addition, 42 new trainees had the chance to get a taste of Schlüter-Luft and gain a first impression of their new company. They were introduced by name following the awards ceremony and received a small welcome package for their start on August 1. Starting next month, a total of around 120 trainees will be enrolled in the program at the same time. This corresponds to an incredible training quota of 11%. Thomas and Kaspar Heinrich Schlüter, Managing Directors: “We are thrilled about the number of trainees in our company, because we need young people in our ranks! Having 120 trainees shows that our motto, ‘We grow with the youth,’ is not just a slogan, but something we put into practice.”
