75 years of apprenticeship at ZIEHL-ABEGG
More than 2,000 qualified apprentices trained (1949-2024)
This year we are celebrating an important anniversary: 75 years of apprenticeship at ZIEHL-ABEGG. An occasion to look back at our beginnings and pay tribute to the development of our training programs.
The beginnings: 1949-1964
It all began in 1949 with Erwin Demel, who was the first apprentice to start his apprenticeship at ZIEHL-ABEGG. His trainer, Hans Henzler, supervised metal and electrical training, laying a valuable foundation in the young man’s life.
One year later, in 1950, the company had around two dozen employees and welcomed two more promising new recruits, Fritz Bohler and Hubert Fahrbach.
The first apprenticeships were in the industrial sector. These included toolmakers, lathe operators and electronics mechanics. The apprenticeship lasted a total of 3.5 years.
Erwin Demel, 1st apprentice at ZIEHL-ABEGG
In the beginning, ZIEHL-ABEGG’s apprentices were taught in a joint training workshop, which was set up in cooperation with other companies in the Künzelsau fire station. It was not until around 1964 that ZIEHL-ABEGG opened its own training workshop in the Setzer shoe factory building. Every prospective electromechanic, lathe operator and toolmaker built a steam engine during their apprenticeship. In this way, they learned the entire spectrum of metalworking.
Classroom with apprentices around 1950-1960
Apprentice around 1970
Apprentices in the training workshop before 1985
Expansion and change: 1965-1985
From 1949 to 1985, over 750 apprentices successfully completed their apprenticeship at ZIEHL-ABEGG. As early as 1985, around 70 young people, almost 10% of the entire workforce, were constantly undergoing industrial apprenticeship. The range of apprenticeships on offer expanded continuously and, in addition to traditional trades, also included commercial and technical professions such as industrial clerk, data processing clerk, technical draughtsman and electrical appliance mechanic. The training plans continued to evolve with the changing times. In addition, new content was integrated in order to meet the requirements of the modern working world. An example is the integration of basic knowledge of pneumatics into the metal professions in 1985.
The job description of the electromechanic underwent a significant change, which was a division into two levels in 1972: Electrical appliance mechanic and energy appliance electrician. The Vocational Training Act, which came into force in 1972, also made it possible to shorten the apprenticeship period for those who performed well.
Another milestone was the purchase of a CAD system for the electronic technician apprentices in 1985. A little later, another system was installed in the design offices. This technical equipment enabled even better preparation for the future professional fields.
Today: 1986-2024
Since the beginning, over 2,000 apprentices have started their professional careers with an apprenticeship at the company ZIEHL-ABEGG. Our apprentices regularly graduate with top marks, laying the important foundation for a successful career.
There is also plenty of fun to be had: We regularly have exciting excursions that strengthen both the community and the cohesion among the apprentices and create unforgettable shared experiences that will be fondly remembered. In addition, as part of our ZAbroad program, every apprentice can gain two to three weeks of valuable experience abroad and work at our local branch.
We look forward to welcoming our motivated new apprentices, who will start their training with us on September 1, 2024. A warm welcome to our new apprentices – we wish you a successful start and an exciting time at ZIEHL-ABEGG!