By training apprentices, the poesia group has been investing in the next generation for years. The apprentices are entrusted with important tasks early on in their training.

Dominik Hofer, 2nd year apprentice polymechanic EFZ, helps to roll and pack seals in production. He also manufactures CNC plastic parts.

After starting work, he receives all the necessary daily instructions from the trainer. Dominik finds it a challenge to feed the seals into the various work stations, and he particularly enjoys working on the CNC machine. Dominik usually works in a team of two, which has a number of advantages: ‘This enables valuable dialogue and the trainer is always there if I have any questions.’ Since starting his apprenticeship, he has learnt a lot of important information about plastics, which helps him in his day-to-day work at the company.

Dominik Hofer is not yet able to put what he has learnt at school into practice in the company, but he hopes that this will change as soon as he has completed the CNC course at school. The two school subjects he is most interested in are materials and production technology, and he finds the interplay between theory and practice particularly good in pneumatics.

Dominik Hofer decided to do an apprenticeship as an EFZ polymechanic because he is particularly interested in working on a machine. He likes ‘when the chips are flying’. Since starting his apprenticeship, he has already acquired some technical knowledge. For example, he learnt how to file in order to achieve a smooth surface on a piece of metal or how to produce threads. He is fascinated by working on CNC machines, on a lathe or on drilling machines. That's what makes his job. Dominik Hofer enjoys his apprenticeship and considers it to be instructive, but also strenuous at times.

Quote from Dominik Hofer:
‘No pain, no gain.’

Niklas Schmidt, 1st year plastics technician EBA, finds the first few weeks of his apprenticeship very pleasant and he feels at home at the poesia group. He likes the team and the work. He has already learnt how to roll and pack profiles. The transition from school to apprenticeship has gone very well for him: ‘I'm very attentive during lessons at vocational school, which makes it easier for me to learn the school material at home.’ To prepare for exams, he repeats the material and writes summaries.

Niklas Schmidt was really looking forward to the apprenticeship, but he has since realised that primary school was easier. What he misses most is the contact with his colleagues. At vocational school, he likes the subject ‘general education’ best. One thing he has noticed in particular: ‘Compared to primary school, you have to work more independently at vocational school.’

He attends vocational school on Monday and then can concentrate on work at the company for the rest of the week, where there is always ‘something going on’. He can be more active there than at school. Niklas Schmidt has set himself a clear initial goal: he wants to ‘move up’ to the EFZ at the end of the first year of his apprenticeship.

Niklas Schmidt was made aware of a possible apprenticeship at the poesia group by his mother: ‘She works at stuck ag, a subsidiary of the poesia group.’

Quote from Niklas Schmidt:
‘You should assert your own opinion and not be influenced by others.’

The poesia group employs around 60 people, including five apprentices. It operates at the main site in Unter-kulm as well as at the external sites in Hochdorf and Urdorf. It produces and processes seals made of TPE, silicone and LSR as well as EPDM, NBR, CR, FKM and sponge rubber for applications in the construction, technology, transport and food sectors.

f.l.t.r.: Dominik Hofer, Elia Bonetta (vocational trainer), Niklas Schmidt