While much has changed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, there are nevertheless some things that have remained the same.
At Colors& Effects, BASF’s global pigment business, September is the month that the apprenticeship programme kicks off once again. This year, the programme has enrolled 33 new apprentices, the same number as in previous years. While most - 25 - of the new hirees will be located at Ludwigshafen, four will start at the site in Besigheim and another four at Monthey.
The German apprenticeship system offers school leavers a way to gain labour-market relevant qualifications through a combination of working and learning. The company offering the apprenticeship pays for the apprentice’s education and training , at the end of which, in many cases, it gains a well-trained new employee. In addition, apprentices are paid a small wage. As almost half of all school leavers go into the dual education system, the youth unemployment rate tends to be relatively low.
The apprenticeship programme has a long tradition in our company, explained Andreas Wagner, head of global human resources at Colors & Effects.
“Despite these challenging times, we make sure to offer our apprentices the best conditions for the start into their professional lives, while setting health and protection as our highest priority.”
In that connection, the company has adjusted the onboarding process for its new students.
“In Ludwigshafen, our classes will be welcomed separately on their first day, in order to reduce the total number of participants for each event. As part of our adjusted onboarding program, our new employees will be introduced to the dedicated hygiene concepts at our sites.”
In addition to welcoming the apprentices to the company, Wagner congratulated the 32 recent graduates from the programme who have since joined the company as full-fledged employees: 24 in Ludwigshafen, six in Besigheim and two in Monthey.