International apprenticeship exchange at BIRN offers new perspectives on the industrial technician profession
When 19-year-old industrial technician apprentice Christian Kruse from the German company Krones was offered the opportunity to undertake an internship at BIRN in Denmark, it was not a difficult choice. After four weeks at BIRN, he returned home with new professional skills, an insight into a different part of the industry and a broader perspective on his profession.
Christian Kruse is part of an international collaboration between BIRN and Krones in Flensburg, where apprentices are exchanged across national borders. BIRN was among the first Danish companies to send an apprentice to Germany two years ago – and now the collaboration works both ways.
During his stay in Holstebro, Christian has worked closely with production and gained an insight into the foundry’s processes and machining.
- It’s interesting to experience another company and see how things are done in Denmark. Production here is very different from ours – for example, with larger machines and a completely different type of work, says Christian.
At Krones, Christian works primarily on assembling larger machines, whilst at BIRN he has been introduced to a production environment focused on casting, CNC machining and programming.
- They are two completely different ways of working. Here, I’ve learnt more about Siemens programming, for instance, and how the machines are set up. It gives a better understanding of the many different paths you can take within the industry.
At the same time, his time at BIRN has given him an insight into a working culture that in many ways resembles the one he knows from home.
- The culture isn’t actually that different. People work hard and have a strong sense of community. It’s been easy to settle in, even though I’ve only been at BIRN for four weeks.
Collaboration that develops
The exchange is part of the Metal Industry Training Committee’s international initiative, which in recent years has focused on strengthening apprentices’ professional and personal development through placements abroad.
Experience shows that apprentices return home with both increased self-confidence and stronger skills, which is also noticeable in the participating companies.
- As a company, we have excellent opportunities to give apprentices an insight into many different aspects of production. At the same time, it is rewarding to gain new perspectives from outside and meet young people from other companies and countries, says Michael Christiansen, who is a supervisor at the machine shop at BIRN and has been Christian’s mentor during his stay in Denmark.
In the picture you can see Michael (front) and Christian (behind).
An investment in the skilled workers of the future
For BIRN, the exchange is not just about technical learning, but also about giving young people the opportunity to develop personally.
- It’s a great way to showcase what the industry can do, whilst learning from one another across companies. Furthermore, it gives young people the chance to stand on their own two feet, experience something new and develop – both professionally and personally. Many people don’t know that this opportunity exists, which is why we also hope that more people will become aware of it, says Michael Christiansen.
According to Christian, the placement is an experience he would recommend to other apprentices:
- If you stay exclusively at the same company, you only see one way of doing things. Here, you get the chance to experience something new and develop – both professionally and personally.