SINCE 1986, the training workshop has been housed in a lavishly converted former administrative building.
From “apprentice” to sought-after trainee
1950–2025
MAPAL has been a training company since its founding years and soon begins to create outstanding conditions for the next generation. Especially as it was recognised at an early stage that apprentices are the urgently needed skilled workers of the future and therefore an important factor in the company's success.
TRAINING - THE BEST TOOL FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES
In the early years of MAPAL, the apprentices largely ran alongside during operation. Nevertheless, the industrial trainees, mostly prospective toolmakers, were assigned their own small area in the production hall, where they were able to learn the basic principles of craftsmanship for their future job by filing, grinding and drilling. In addition, they take over smaller tasks in production and are called upon to perform all kinds of auxiliary works. The trainees for office administrators learn their profession primarily by “learning by doing” and, in keeping with the motto “Apprenticeship years are not master years”, activities such as going to the post office are naturally part of their duties.
Over the course of time, training at MAPAL is professionalized. A small training workshop is set up and an instructor is assigned to supervise the industrial trainees. In 1986, the training center moved to a part of the former administration building equipped with state-of-the-art machinery. Instead of working in regular production, new apprentices are now increasingly given special projects, such as small orders or trying out new tools and machines.
In 2000, MAPAL opens a new technology and marketing centre in Aalen. A top modern training department is housed there, where apprentices, students of the Cooperative State University and trainees - also from many other MAPAL locations - find ideal conditions. Today, the range of training opportunities extends far beyond machining mechanics, precision toolmakers or industrial mechanics but now includes eight job profiles in the technical field and six in the commercial field. In addition, MAPAL offers six Bachelor's degree programmes in cooperation with the Cooperative State University.
As in the past, practically all trainees - more than 300 young people worldwide - are taken on by MAPAL after passing their exams. What is new, however, is that there are no longer numerous applicants for every apprenticeship position, but that the company must actively recruit the skilled workers of tomorrow, especially in the technical field. This is a challenge that MAPAL is working hard to meet with a lot of engagement.
THANKS TO THE MODERN EQUIPMENT, the apprentices find ideal conditions in the training workshop.
BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED HEALTHY, apprentices at MAPAL regularly receive milk. However, the photograph from 1952 also shows the importance that the company placed on training young people in the early days.
MAPAL RELIES ON ITS OWN TRAINING OF YOUNG TALENT. Accordingly, the training workshop has grown over time into a modern training centre.