The paper, cardboard and plastics processing industry is an important economic sector in Germany. Companies in the sector provide training in 15 professions, offer further education and study programmes - and pay above-average wages, according to the German Association of Paper and Plastics Processing (HPV).
The Vocational training is a decisive factor for the success of companies in times of a shortage of skilled labour. It's about training the next generation and providing employees with further qualifications to keep them at the cutting edge of technology. With the HPV Managing Director Stefan Rössing We talked about vocational training in the industry.
Mr Rössing, what are the tasks of your umbrella organisation?
Stefan Rössing: The HPV is active in two areas, collective bargaining and education. One of our tasks is to to publicise professions typical of the sector. For example, we have the website career-paper-packaging.com was launched. It is intended to specifically address young people and inform them about training opportunities.
Apprentices talk about their professions
We use the platform to present the various professions and let young people who are currently completing or have already completed their training in the packaging industry have their say. You can find out what they like about their jobs, what career paths they have taken and what their day-to-day work is like.
However, contact is not only maintained via the website, but also via services such as WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram. We offer young people advice on all channels and help them find the right company for them.
You have also been organising a competition for some time now. Who are you addressing with this?
Stefan Rössing: We are organising the „Pack's an“ competition for the third time. We are calling on trainees to produce promotional materials that their companies can use to draw attention to themselves. To take part in this year's competition, applicants should take a photo of any item, wrap it safely, sustainably or as a gift and post photos of both on Instagram. We will then select the winner from all submissions at our general meeting. We invite young people to Berlin for the award ceremony, which always goes down well with them.
How else do you reach the next generation?
Stefan Rössing: Every two years we are at the IdeenExpo in Hanover a Germany-wide co-operation between business, science and politics to promote the next generation of skilled workers. With its wide range of programmes, it is a kind of compass for career guidance.
Our association is also responsible for the Job description of the packaging technologist, which we support on the employer side. However, we also provide information on careers such as process mechanics, machine and plant operators in print finishing and paper processing and media technologists. Our website contains a wealth of information on the training occupations, but also on further training and study opportunities.
Lots of information on vocational training
Young people are often initially interested in the professions that are currently in vogue. They often know too little or nothing about professions such as packaging technologists - we want to change that with our work.
Are trainees having problems completing their training or finding a job afterwards due to the coronavirus pandemic?
Stefan Rössing: The coronavirus crisis is delaying the examinations for trainee packaging technologists. But we are sure that they can be made up for and that there will be no problems with completing their training. The Opportunities on the labour market remain positiveSome companies are doing well even in the current crisis. These include companies that produce packaging for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Others are unfortunately struggling with the crisis. Overall, however, it can be assumed that every well-trained packaging technologist will find a job in Germany.
[infotext icon]The Berlin-based Hauptverband Papier- und Kunststoffverarbeitung e. V. (HPV) is an umbrella organisation of nine regional associations and a specialist employers' association that represents the German paper, cardboard and plastics processing industry in all socio-political matters. Its areas of expertise include the conclusion of industry collective agreements, advice on labour and social law as well as education policy and securing young talent[/infotext].http://www.karriere-papier-verpackung.de
http://www.packsan.com
