In order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers and to meet the existing demand, the SKZ Plastics Center, in cooperation with the Würzburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, is offering the advanced training course "Certified Industrial Foreman Plastics and Rubber".

Insight into the injection molding pilot plant at SKZ in Würzburg. (Luca Hoffmannbeck, SKZ)

Demand for skilled workers in the plastics industry remains high

The Master Craftsman program, which was developed in cooperation between the Würzburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the SKZ Plastics Center and has been offered since 1967, is aimed at employees in the plastics and/or rubber industry who want to develop their careers, advance within the company and take on extensive new tasks that go beyond pure production. In addition, the title of Master Craftsman fulfills the requirements for admission to a subsequent course of study, for which credit may even be given. The program not only provides in-depth knowledge of plastics and rubber technology, but also emphasizes the development of leadership and business skills. 

Fit for key positions
"Our aim is not only to provide participants with technical expertise, but also to enable them to take on management positions in the industry and develop innovative solutions," says Robert Held, Group Head of Injection Molding and Additive Manufacturing Education. "Industrial foremen are still very much in demand in the plastics industry, especially in times of skilled labor shortages. Thanks to the comprehensive master craftsman training, graduates have knowledge of technology and production as well as business issues, which is why they can usually fill important key positions in companies."

Full-time and part-time schedules available
The course is usually offered twice a year with one full-time session and, starting in 2023, one part-time session. The course covers interdisciplinary topics such as legal and business management, the application of information, communication and planning methods, cooperation within the company and the consideration of scientific and technical principles. In the area of activity-specific topics, processing technology, operating technology, materials, production processes, operating cost management, planning, control and communication systems, occupational, environmental and health protection, personnel management and development as well as quality management are taught.

SKZ takes over practical qualification
While the IHK supervises the theoretical part of the course, the SKZ provides the practical training. Participants are trained directly on machines in real production environments.  Special emphasis is placed on dealing with process-specific peculiarities relevant to everyday industrial practice in the institute's own technical center. The institute also offers insights into other processing methods such as thermoforming, additive manufacturing and extrusion. In addition, participants are given an insight into current trends and developments in the industry. Since most of the participants come from the injection molding industry, the SKZ offers the opportunity to think outside the box, gain new experiences and broaden their knowledge. Participants benefit later in their working lives by being able to tackle specific problems with real expertise, not just theory.

Diverse career opportunities
Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are awarded the IHK-certified title of "Certified Industrial Master in Plastics and Rubber". This corresponds to DQR level 6 (comparable to a university bachelor's degree). The qualification opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Upon successful completion, industrial foremen usually play a key role in the industry. They often act as the interface between management and the shop floor. The foreman must understand the practical work on the machine as well as costing, management and leadership. In addition to the Würzburg location, training to become a certified industrial foreman is also offered in Peine and Horb. 

The next full-time apprenticeship in Würzburg will start on November 4, 2024 and end on May 16, 2025. The course is eligible for BAFöG. The IHK Würzburg offers a free information event about MS Teams on September 11, 2024 from 17:00 to 18:00.