Schaeffler is making the training center in Bühl fit for the future

Training strategy focuses on future trends in training and further education as well as on traditional training occupations

Renovation should be completed by the end of 2023

Schaeffler is modernizing its center for training and further education at the Bühl factory campus. The company is investing four million euros in the conversion. “With the modernization, we are making the training in Bühl fit for the future. We are specifically strengthening the professions that we will continue to focus on at the location in the future,” says Andreas Maier, plant manager of the Schaeffler plant campus in Bühl. The measures include the conversion of the existing training center on a total area of more than 1,000 square meters. Numerous machines and systems are brought up to the latest state of the art. In addition, Schaeffler is adding new technologies such as laser technology and driverless transport systems to the machine park and making the building more modern.

In addition to converting the existing space, the company is expanding the training center by more than 700 square meters. In an adjacent hall, a light-flooded, modern open-space area for face-to-face training in large groups and individual training for trainees and dual students is being created. A new technology laboratory with Industry 4.0 applications, an electronics laboratory and an engineering area will also be created. New office space will also be created for the training team.

The first conversion measures had already begun at the end of 2022; By the end of 2023, the expansion of the areas should also be fully completed. The measures are part of the Schaeffler Group's Roadmap 2025 implementation program.

Training for the requirements of the future

Schaeffler had already revised its company-wide training concept in recent years and adapted it to the new requirements in vehicle and industrial technology. More digitization and Industry 4.0 are therefore on the schedule for the trainees and dual students at the Bühler Campus. “We combine tradition with innovation. Topics such as robotics, cobots, 3D printing and programming are already standard in many of our apprenticeships," says Sascha Kamm, Head of Training at the Bühl site. An electronics technician trainee at Schaeffler learns significantly more about digital solutions in development and production, network technology and how to use software than a few years ago. New apprenticeships are also emerging: For the second year in a row, Schaeffler is training young people to become IT specialists for application development. The trainees are given extensive knowledge of software development and programming that is required for machine automation, data analysis, networking and AI applications. Topics such as 3D printing as well as virtual reality and augmented reality applications are also part of the new training content. In the future, they will all be covered under one roof in the new training center in Bühl.

Traditional apprenticeships remain in demand

Schaeffler will continue to focus on traditional apprenticeships in the future, such as in the fields of industrial mechanics and tool mechanics, but will continue to develop the content of the apprenticeship further. "In order to manufacture electric motors, high-precision tools are needed, which we manufacture in Kappelrodeck, for example. Skilled workers with the appropriate skills will therefore continue to be in demand in Bühl in the future,” explains Andreas Maier. At Schaeffler, trainee toolmakers learn new programming languages such as those used for computer-aided design and manufacturing. The company trains industrial mechanics, who used to be classically trained in mechanics, in handling robotics and automation systems. The Industry 4.0 systems required for this are currently being designed and manufactured by the company's own special machine construction department, which now employs numerous former trainees. In addition, laser technology will increasingly find its way into production at Schaeffler in the future. The corresponding basics are already taught during the training.

After numerous trainees had already completed their training and were taken on in February and March 2023, Schaeffler will employ around 120 trainees and dual students in Bühl as of April 1, 2023. On September 1, 2023, around 35 new trainees and students will be added.

Training night on May 5, 2023 in Bühl

On May 5, 2023, Schaeffler invites you to the “Night of Training” in Bühl. The training center, which had been converted by then, will be open on this day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. for anyone who is interested – together with friends and family – wanting to find out more about the subject of training at the technology company Schaeffler. The trainees provide insights into their work and the learning content. At numerous hands-on stations, they demonstrate what they learn during their training at Schaeffler. The two-time DTM champion and Schaeffler brand ambassador Marco Wittmann is also present at the "Night of Training" in Bühl. Guests can ask him questions, take photos and get an autograph that evening.