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.

Amélie Cankurt, 3rd year of apprenticeship, EFZ commercial clerk, profile M, currently works in accounting and in the HR department. She also posts on Instagram for the entire poesia group.

It is a particular challenge for her when the incoming payments do not match the actual invoice. She considers two skills that she has been able to acquire so far to be particularly important: ‘When I worked in the back office at mk dichtungs ag, I learnt how to deal with customers on the phone and at the counter. I was also able to acquire specialist knowledge about our seals.’ This made Amélie Cankurt more open-minded and she is now able to help customers, as well as her family and friends, to choose the right gaskets. She finds it very helpful that the weekly briefing with the vocational trainer takes place every Wednesday: ‘We exchange ideas and get the latest information, new orders, etc.’

While working at the company, she learnt some Excel functions that she can also use at school. A particular highlight of the vocational school was the ‘Business Week’, which was organised in the second year of the apprenticeship. Amélie Cankurt looks back with a smile: ‘In a group project, we had to set up a company and look at how to make purchases, set prices, etc., right through to marketing.’ Her aim is to complete the apprenticeship as successfully as possible, and Amélie wants to achieve the best possible result.

Quote from Amélie Cankurt:
‘I really appreciate being able to work independently during my apprenticeship. It motivates me to give my best every day.’

Robin Müller, 2nd year apprentice, EFZ commercial clerk, labels sample orders for customers in the morning. On Wednesdays, he attends the siz diploma course (user- and practice-orientated IT training) in Aarau. Another job is looking after the sample wall. He explains: ‘Recognising the seals correctly can be difficult. It is also a particular challenge to precisely analyse the orders in French in order to avoid errors.’ He has already been able to acquire important product know-how and optimise his PC skills while working in the company. Unfortunately, according to Robin Müller, the school material cannot always be applied well in the company: ‘That's a shame, but there is one exception. The technology lessons are very helpful, as I really enjoy working with the PC at home and at work.’ When asked about the combination of theory and practice, Robin Müller smiles and says: ‘The theory is the basis and can ideally be put into practice.’

Robin Müller feels very well integrated into the company. If he doesn't know something, he can ask his colleagues for help and receives the support he needs. He is also happy that he is allowed to complete the SIZ course and that the poesia group is covering the costs.

It is no coincidence that Robin Müller decided in favour of a commercial apprenticeship, as it suits him perfectly. He sees it as the ideal basic training, as it gives him many options for his future career. Before starting his apprenticeship, Robin Müller had no concrete idea what to expect: ‘I was surprised that the customer contact would be so intensive. I thought there would be a lot more administrative work.’ Since starting his apprenticeship, he has learnt a lot about the poesia range. Robin Müller considers this to be his greatest sense of achievement during his apprenticeship so far.

Quote from Robin Müller:
‘The true value in a job is not only shown in its profit, but also in the joy and pride it creates.’

Ilire Mazrek, 1st year apprentice, commercial clerk EFZ, was warmly welcomed by all employees when she started her apprenticeship in the summer. She was soon put in charge of sending out invoices. Other tasks have since been added: She is allowed to answer emails sent to the info email address, she does the post and she makes sure the meeting room is perfectly organised. Ilire Mazrek is also currently learning the first steps in the ERP system. She manages the balance between school and work very well: ‘I manage to work well in the company and learn the school material in my free time and prepare for the school exams in good time.’ Her start at the vocational school went smoothly, as she found good colleagues and also liked the teachers. She has noticed some differences between secondary school and vocational school: ‘The subjects are more interesting, but the teachers are stricter when marking the tests. The pace of work is faster at vocational school than at secondary school and I notice that everyone has a clear goal in mind: passing the final exam.’ Switching between vocational school and work at the company is easy for her. When she arrives at the company on Wednesday, Ilire Mazrek draws up a to-do list so that she can complete her tasks on time. Before making her final career choice, she also had a taste of other companies and professions, but the commercial apprenticeship appealed to her the most: ‘This apprenticeship is very versatile and varied. I also like working with PCs and Microsoft Office apps. I consider the commercial apprenticeship to be very good basic training.’ By the end of the first year of her apprenticeship, she wants to further develop her IT skills and get lots of good grades.

Quote from Ilire Mazrek:
‘The only limit to what is possible is what you dare to do.’

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.: Daniel Kurmann (vocational trainer), Robin Müller, Ilire Mazrek, Amélie Cankurt