Gerresheimer : I had no reason to change jobs

How has vocational training changed over the years?

First and foremost the technological transformation: When I began my apprenticeship, we used typewriters. These days, our apprentices walk around the office with laptops. It means we expect different things from our current trainees than were expected of me back then. Even my current job is constantly changing: Whereas pay was calculated manually before, now it's all done by computer with payroll programs. Our department used to be called Staff Administration, now it's known as Staff Support.

What advice would you give young people who need to make a decision about their future as you did 30 years ago?

I'd tell them they should choose a career that suits their skills and one that they will really enjoy. At the time I started my apprenticeship, I had already completed work placements in several fields to find out where my strengths and weaknesses lay. You have to ask yourself, what career suits me? Where can I imagine myself working in the next few years or decades?

How many apprentices have you trained or supported?

I've trained around 300 apprentices in the company as whole. Not on my own, of course. Many of my colleagues share this responsibility of providing successful training. Good teamwork is absolutely essential to success here as well. As well as our trainees, the company as a whole also hosts roughly 25 to 30 work experience students each year.

What do you love about your job as a trainer?

I always wanted to choose a career that involved working with people. My day-to-day HR work and contact with colleagues are the key parts of a typical day for me. That's one of the reasons I'm one of the company's Ambassadors for Corporate Values. I also care deeply about the health of our staff, so I spent nine months completing further training that led to me qualifying as a specialist in operational health management in February 2017. External partners like health insurance funds, professional associations, occupational physicians, schools, etc. also play a key role in my everyday work.

How do you relax and unwind after work? What helps you feel refreshed and restored?

I love relaxing by reading a book and I enjoy cooking and going for a walk. When the weather's nice, I spend the weekend with my family camping on Monte Kaolino in Hirschau. That's where I recharge my batteries barbecuing with friends.

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Training at Gerresheimer

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer is a leading global partner to the pharma and healthcare industry. With specialty glass and plastic products, the Company contributes to health and well-being. Gerresheimer operates worldwide and its approximately 10,000 employees manufacture products in local markets, close to its customers. With plants in Europe, North America, South America and Asia, Gerresheimer generates revenues of around EUR 1.4 bn. The company's comprehensive product portfolio includes pharmaceutical packaging and products for the safe, simple administration of medicines: insulin pens, inhalers, prefillable syringes, injection vials, ampoules, bottles and containers for liquid and solid medicines with closure and safety systems as well as packaging for the cosmetics industry.