The new apprentice training year at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG began on 3 September. As of 1 September, the company is taking on 315 new apprentices in 20 different occupations, bringing the total number of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe’s own apprentices to around 1,140. Added to this are roughly 300 apprentices from other companies being trained on a contract basis. Apprenticeship training is provided at the company’s Duisburg, Bochum, Dortmund, Hagen-Hohenlimburg, Kreuztal-Eichen and Finnentrop sites. "By providing high-level apprentice training well beyond its own needs, Germany’s biggest steel producer fulfills its social responsibility for the future of the region," emphasizes Dieter Kroll, Chief Human Resources Officer at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe.

191 new apprentices will start work in Duisburg, 57 on commercial apprenticeships and 134 learning industrial/technical occupations. In Bochum there are 49 new apprentices (three commercial, 46 industrial/technical), and in Dortmund 36 (three commercial, 33 industrial/technical). In Hagen Hohenlimburg 67 young people will start work, three undergoing commercial and 64 industrial/technical training; here ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe carries out training for local companies. In the Siegerland region the total intake of 33 includes eight commercial and 25 industrial/technical apprentices; at the Finnentrop site there are six new apprentices in total, including two commercial. Apprenticeships generally last three or three-and-a-half years. This can be shortened to two-and-a-half or three years for apprentices showing above-average performance

To ease the transition from school to working life, all the newcomers will attend an initiation course from Monday to Friday – the company has been organizing this popular introductory week for more than 20 years. For example, the Duisburg-based apprentices are split into groups of roughly 50 and spend the week at youth hostels in Bad Neuenahr and Oer-Erkenschwick. This gives them the opportunity to get to know each other, their trainers and team leaders outside of work. In self-prepared presentations and interviews the apprentices introduce themselves to the others and pick up useful tips and essential information about their new work environment. For example: What products does ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe make? How is the company organized? But also: Where can I park? Where is the canteen? Where do I get my company ID card? A key focus of the introductory week is health and safety – this is particularly important for people starting out on their careers who, experience has shown, frequently make mistakes due to a lack of knowledge. City tours, barbecue evenings and social activities round out this highly popular program.

Additionally, applications are now being accepted for 2013. Anyone wishing to start an apprenticeship with ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG in September 2013 can submit an application online at http://karriere.thyssenkrupp-steel-europe.com/en/karriere.html.The prospects are particularly good for young people interested in becoming process mechanics or electronics technicians for automation engineering.