Hello Christoph, you are the instructor for the warehouse engineers at RAUMEDIC. Since we currently don´t have an apprentice in this field, you have agreed to answer our questions. Can you first explain the training profession to me in general?

A warehouse clerk takes care of everything to do with warehousing. That means from unloading incoming trucks to loading trucks for shipping goods.

This includes when receiving goods:

• Receiving goods from the forwarder
• Checking the goods for completeness and integrity
• Entering the goods receipt into the merchandise management system
• Storing the goods in the designated storage location

For the dispatch, the tasks are:

• Pick the shipping orders
• Securely pack and label the goods
• Load the goods for shipment

How does the apprenticeship take part at RAUMEDIC?

The apprenticeship as a warehouse clerk is a dual training and lasts a total of 2 years. The prerequisite for this apprenticeship is at least a secondary school leaving certificate.

The weekly working time is 40 hours with an annual vacation entitlement of 30 days. The work is done in the day shift model.

During the training, the department is then also changed regularly in order to get to know the entire manufacturing process.

This includes these departments and areas:

• Packing department
• Goods receiving area
• Material loading area
• Shipping and commissioning area
• The workshop
• Thermoplastic extrusion
• Silicone extrusion
• Thermoplastic injection molding
• Silicone injection molding

For the daily tasks, each apprentice is assigned an experienced employee who accompanies and supports. At the beginning of the training, you will be taught basic things by watching. Later, you will only be looked over your shoulder and you will complete the tasks assigned to you independently.

Can you tell us more about the vocational school process?

Warehouse clerks attend the vocational school in Hof  twice a week. There, the theoretical training content is taught and the practical content is deepened in the company.

During the school year, performance is assessed by means of impromptu examinations and school assignments. At the vocational school, the schedule includes various subjects divided into learning areas, such as procurement logistics, warehouse logistics, transport and distribution logistics, as well as general subjects such as English and German.

The subject of procurement logistics deals with the acceptance and control of goods. The learning field warehouse logistics deals with the storage, processing, picking and packing of goods. The subject Transport and Distribution Logistics covers how goods must be transported, loaded and dispatched within the company and how logistics tours must be planned.

At the end of the first year of training, there is a written and practical intermediate examination with practice-related tasks, which, however, does not count towards the overall result. It is only used to determine the current level of training and to prepare for the final examination.

The final examination is divided into a written and a practical part. The written part covers the topics of warehouse processes and goods movement as well as economics and social studies. In the practical examination, two tasks are selected from examination areas which the trainee must perform within three hours.

What do you think someone should bring with them for this apprenticeship?

As a warehouse clerk, you should definitely have spatial awareness. This is important for the correct and effective loading of trucks.

In general, there should be an interest in logistical procedures and processes. The joy of physical activities and constant movement should also not be missing. Manual dexterity and basic PC skills are also very advantageous, as is an open and communicative nature.

Do you have any advice for those who are interested?

If someone is interested in the training profession, then my tip is: definitely do an internship! A week would be best, because during this time you can get a very good picture of the work, get to know the team and the person, and thus find out whether you really enjoy the job.

During the trial week, the trainee is taken to various activities, gets an insight into the everyday work of a warehouse specialist and is also allowed to do something himself.

You can then tell whether someone has thought about the job and really wants to do the training. Once the internship has been completed, we have a good impression of whether the trainee is a good fit for us.

In your opinion, what are the main reasons for training at RAUMEDIC?

First of all, the facts speak for an apprenticeship at RAUMEDIC. It is a secure and future-oriented job in the medical technology and pharmaceutical industry. We are constantly growing and are a real "flagship" in the region.

Raumedic offers high chances of being taken on, numerous opportunities for further training, employee benefits and a harmonious working environment.

I particularly appreciate the mentoring program as part of the training. This means that every trainee is assigned an experienced employee who accompanies them in their daily tasks. We support them in their first steps in their new job and offer them a trusting introduction to the working world.

What further training opportunities are there after training as a warehouse clerk?

There is the possibility of further training to become, among other things, a logistics master, a warehouse logistics specialist and/or internally.

The logistics master can be completed while working and is at the master craftsman level. The specialist for warehouse logistics is a one-year additional training, which can be done directly after passing the final exam to become a warehouse specialist. RAUMEDIC cooperates with the logistics service provider Dachser in Hof. The team leader, for example, is an internal further training course.

Thank you Christoph! All the best and lots of fun working with our future apprentices.