Foundation stone for future quality.
Skilled employees are the basis of our company's success. To ensure continued success in the future and to produce the best products for customers, Westfalia-Automotive attaches particular importance to the training of its junior staff. A brief interview with training manager Michael Mettenmeyer offers interesting insights in this respect. Michael is responsible for commercial and technical training. As a result, he is at the heart of Westfalia-Automotive's training provision.
Michael, how long have you been at Westfalia-Automotive and in what role?
I've been with Westfalia-Automotive since 1 March 2011, working as a training manager responsible for commercial and technical training in the Company.
And why do you like working here?
I am able to train people in the way I want – that is, working closely with people, with plenty of emphasis on practical training. And I have a great collaborative relationship with other departments. My colleagues are always open and attentive to training issues. After all, we are developing the skills to provide the quality of tomorrow, and management is promoting training accordingly. The conditions for obtaining skilled, technical training are really brilliant as a result.
How many trainees are you responsible for and in which professional fields?
A maximum of 18 apprentices are being continuously trained as industrial mechanics or cutting machine operators for the company's own use. Meaning that we can ensure a continuously favourable development.
What does 'good training' mean to you?
For me, good training means starting with the basics, i.e. learning something from the ground up. This is why I devote a lot of time to the acquisition of basic skills. So our trainees can apply what they have learned step by step and put it to the test in practical tasks. Our training workshop is well equipped and allows our apprentices to gain a wide range of skills. I also encourage young people to be self-reliant by deliberately asking for their own ideas and suggestions. Here at Westfalia-Automotive, our apprentices pass through many other technical departments – from prototype production to the welding shop. This results in training that is of a very high quality. They are also tasked with producing things for other specialist departments.
In your view, what makes Westfalia-Automotive an excellent training Organisation?
Everybody here is fully behind the whole issue of training. So we are well-equipped with training resources. People (myself included) are able to work freely and develop their own ideas. Independent working is encouraged right from the start. Passing through a lot of other specialist departments helps the apprentices develop comprehensive expertise. Yes, I think that we have a great team spirit here, where everyone is respected and people's individual strengths are promoted.
What do you do to give your team a sense of cohesion?
We foster a very cooperative, respectful working climate. Both in terms of the way we speak to each other and interact. Independent working motivates our apprentices, so I am keen to encourage that. They can and really should bring their own ideas to the table. Of course we also do some things in teams to boost solidarity – for example, we always have a great Christmas Party.
Have you ever had any strange experiences as part of your work?
Let's say there have been a few very special things. For example, for our exhibition stand at Automechanika one time, we built a sort of pull tractor/go-kart. Two apprentices were there with us at the trade fair and took care of the race. They were both really enthusiastic to be in charge of a job like that. The experience was topped off for both of them with a meal with the management board. Apart from that, we're sometimes invited by car manufacturers to have a tour of their factory. These are real Highlights.
How do you see training developing in the future at Westfalia-Automotive?
Industry 4.0 will certainly bring a whole new set of requirements. At present, it's not really possible to say how that will impact training. But it seems clear to me that we will be adopting digitisation.
A brief word with one of our trainees.
Hello Frederick, what are you being trained up as here?
I'm in my second year of training to become an industrial mechanic.
Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship at WAM?
Basically, I wanted to do something technical. As Westfalia-Automotive has a good reputation and is a long-established company in the region, I just decided to enquire. The decision was, and is, the right one.
What do you like about your training with WAM?
I particularly like the flexibility of being employed in several technical departments. The training is incredibly varied, as we also repeatedly manufacture orders for other departments – working as self-sufficiently as possible. The team of apprentices is really brilliant as well. We get on really well together, and we can also discuss any problems with our boss too. So I look forward to coming into work every day.