Heidelberg celebrates apprenticeship program success

Nearly four years ago, Heidelberg USA re-launched its apprenticeship program in response to the country's growing shortage of skilled labor. The vocational training initiative, designed to cultivate a new generation of field service technicians, has proven successful, with several graduates now employed full-time by Heidelberg.

Currently, the program is training 25 apprentices across its sheetfed, post-press and Gallus product lines – its largest group to date. With plans to hire an additional eight apprentices within the year, the program is filling a critical skills gap and serving as a model for how companies can invest in their future workforce.

The program spans 18 to 36 months and combines classroom instruction at the company’s Print Media Performance & Training Center (PMPTC) in Kennesaw, GA and hands-on field training alongside a journeyman mentor within Heidelberg’s network of service technicians.

Apprentices are hired throughout the year, often beginning in the field and returning as a class to the PMPTC for a Fundamentals Training Course that covers every operating, electrical and mechanical function on a Heidelberg press in addition to pneumatics, software and application.

‘Bringing them in as a group helps build camaraderie and even friendly competition,’ said Kimberly Wicker, skills development supervisor for Heidelberg. ‘This dynamic empowers them to rely on each other. Even as they move across the country, they frequently connect to share tips and troubleshooting challenges together.’

‘They really rely on Kimberly, especially in the early stages, for approval to ensure they’re meeting requirements,’ said Mike Koeberlein, vice president of lifecycle operations for Heidelberg. ‘She keeps everything on track and ensures service managers stay engaged with the apprentices.’

Apprentices are paid throughout the training period, receiving per diem for travel and food, their own set of tools and the ability to qualify for a company-paid car. Each apprentice can graduate the program at his or her own pace. After demonstrating mastery of a pre-defined list of technical skills, the apprentices will begin as trained service technicians specializing in one of Heidelberg’s many product areas with the opportunity to have lifelong career growth with the company.

Currently, Heidelberg USA boasts 25 apprentices at varying stages of completing their training. Of that, nine new hires are set to begin their Fundamentals Training course at the PMPTC in April.

 While the classes continue to grow, Heidelberg remains proactive in its efforts to refill its diminishing service force with a goal of having two classes of ten students per year. Koeberlein added: ‘The workforce is different today. People don’t often stay someplace for 20 or 30 years anymore, so we’ll need to continue to refine our program based on that dynamic as well.’