Two of the world’s biggest names in printing press engineering have renewed their belief in training, recruiting more than 100 new apprentices.

Koenig & Bauer says it is focussing deliberately on high-quality, future-oriented skills, in times of technological transformation in mechanical engineering, with apprenticeships ranging from highly specialised technical professions to dual-study programmes.

Some 20 young people have already begun apprenticeships at the company’s Radebeul site (pictured), where the apprenticeship year started in August, and ten more (top) have just started at the company’s headquarters in Würzburg, Germany.

Head of global human resources Christine Bötsch says a “motivated and exceptionally well-trained” team is the foundation of their future viability. “With demand-oriented and excellent apprenticeship schemes, we secure highly qualified young specialists exactly where we want to set new accents in the future,” she said.

At Heidelberg, more than 80 apprentices and dual-track students have just started training (below), with a new dual-track degree programme in data science and AI strengthening future-oriented skills.

Heidelberg says it is currently training about 300 apprentices and students across Germany in 16 vocational and 15 dual study training programmes, with offerings continuously adapted “to the requirements of the markets and the company”.

Both companies have evolved beyond print alone, Koenig & Bauer broadening its packaging offering, and Heidelberg even developing to car chargers and defence drones.