Apprentice insights at GEZE: Mechatronics engineer, Maik, talks about his apprenticeship and the benefits for junior staff
The best insight into the training of young people at GEZE can probably be provided by one of the junior staff. Our mechatronics apprentice, Maik, talks about his experiences, the varied training content and the numerous benefits GEZE has to offer.
Hello Maik, you started your apprenticeship as a mechatronics engineer at GEZE in 2021. Do you remember why you decided to pick GEZE back then?
There were several reasons why I decided to go with GEZE. One of the decisive reasons was certainly that my brother, who did his own training at GEZE, told me a lot of positive things, such as the very individual and personal support from the trainers and the family environment. In addition, compared to other large corporations, the apprentices at GEZE are not just one among many. This means that support is also possible beyond the training content, and a certain degree of flexibility is given.
The junior employees at GEZE receive a lot of benefits during their apprenticeship. Are there any goodies or events that you particularly like?
I can think of so many benefits some of my friends envy me for: Lunch for 0.50 euros, the proximity to the S-Bahn and a paid VVS ticket, iPads during my training, my work clothes are provided and even washed, an annual book allowance of 100 euros, holiday & Christmas bonuses, vouchers for good grades and, if I get a very good grade at the end of my training, there is even a training bonus of up to 2000 euros . We also organise joint events with all the junior staff, which are always a lot of fun. For example, a summer party, the Christmas party or a larger excursion.
That sounds really good. Do you remember what your application process at GEZE looked like?
The first thing I did was submit my application documents via the careers page. Within a week, I was invited to an on-site aptitude test. I was welcomed there by other apprentices, could talk to them directly and also get to know the company premises. I quite liked that. I was then promptly invited to a personal interview, the final step in the selection process. The conversation with the specialist trainer was very pleasant and conducted at eye level. I found out a bit about GEZE before the actual meeting and was able to ask my questions at any time. We then toured the training workshop and production together. Compared to other companies I have applied to, everything happened very quickly, from the submission of my application documents to my apprenticeship contract.
[Translate to English:] Maik ist in den letzten Zügen seiner Ausbildung zum Mechatroniker. Hier in der Lehrwerkstatt konnte er schon viele spannende Projekte umsetzen. © GEZE GmbH
How did you find out about GEZE and the apprenticeship programme back then?
As I had heard a lot of positive things about GEZE from my brother and other acquaintances, I took a look at the career website. I found a lot of information about the apprenticeship programme there. But there are also many other ways to get an overview of the apprenticeship opportunities at GEZE. For example, direct contact at trade fairs such as Interkom, events in schools or student internships,
GEZE also takes part in Girls' Day (Girls' Future Day) and the holiday company day every year. The dates for these events can also be found on the career website. You can also get lots of information and insights into everyday life at GEZE on our Instagram channel.
You are already on the home stretch of your training. How does training at GEZE work?
We mechatronics engineers have block lessons, which means we spend four weeks in a row at GEZE and then two weeks at vocational school. This makes my day-to-day work very varied and, to be honest, after two weeks of theory I always look forward to practical work in the training workshop. At GEZE, we have a 35-hour week and 30 days' holiday. I spent the largest part of my first two years of apprenticeship in the training workshop to learn the basic skills and how to use the machines. At the same time, we apprentices are allowed to work independently on exciting projects. Most recently, we built a robotic arm at that can be used to lift and move various components in production. In addition, we receive specialised training from our trainers during our apprenticeship, to deepen and better understand the theory from vocational school. It is also possible and even supported to reduce the apprenticeship programme to 3 years with good performance. In the 3rd year of our apprenticeship, we get to know various departments that could take over the apprentice. We talk to the trainers at an early stage about our strengths, but also about our wishes for the takeover, so that these can be taken into account in the best possible way. In general, the chances of being taken over and offered a contract are very good.
Many thanks, Maik. We wish you every success with the completion of your apprenticeship at GEZE.
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