Apprenticeship
Two apprenticeship fairs in the Vogtland region: what the apprenticeship as a mechatronics engineer specialising in refrigeration technology really means
KSI at the Vogtland training fair and the careers market in Reichenbach: the most common questions about training as a refrigeration mechatronics technician.
A profession that hardly anyone knows from school is best explained in conversation. That is why KSI Kältetechnik attended two fairs within a week: on 3 September at the Vogtland Careers Fair at the Vogtlandstadion in Plauen and on 9 September at the 22nd Career Orientation Fair “Abenteuer Beruf” in the sports hall on Cunsdorfer Straße in Reichenbach im Vogtland. The questions asked at both stands were very similar. This article answers them one by one.
“Refrigeration technology? Isn't that just air conditioning?”
No. Refrigeration systems keep data centres running, cool production processes in plastics and metal processing, safeguard food in storage and logistics, supply operating theatres and server rooms, and are therefore present wherever technology would fail within minutes without cooling.
As a mechatronics engineer specialising in refrigeration technology, you build these systems, commission them and keep them running. The profession combines three areas: metalworking in pipework construction, electrical engineering in control and regulation, and thermodynamics in the refrigeration cycle. Anyone who likes to understand why something works, while still wanting to work with their hands, is in the right place.
An impression of what this results in during operation is given by our Reference projects – from the data centre to the clinic.
“Where is the vocational school?”
That was the most frequently asked question at both trade fairs, mostly from parents. The answer is short: The vocational school is located in Reichenbach im Vogtland. No relocation, no block teaching in another federal state, no weekend trips across Germany.
That is not something to take for granted. Refrigeration technology is a small apprenticeship trade nationwide, and because it is barely worthwhile to offer classes for so few students at every location, the nearest vocational school is often several hundred kilometres away in many regions – block teaching in an unfamiliar place, weeks at a boarding school, with everything that entails for sixteen-year-old apprentices starting out. In the Vogtland region, this is not necessary.
The practical part takes place at the company. Our training workshop is located in Heinsdorfergrund near Reichenbach, so in the same area. Anyone from the Vogtland region stays in the region throughout the entire apprenticeship.
“How long does that take, and what do I need for it?”
The apprenticeship lasts three and a half years and is dual: theory at vocational school, practice at the company and in the training workshop.
As a school-leaving requirement, the Intermediate secondary school certificate. More important than grades are technical interest, manual skill and the willingness to familiarise yourself with electrical engineering. You'll learn the rest with us.
the full overview with content, procedure and requirements is available on our page on Apprenticeship as Mechatronics Engineer Specialising in Refrigeration Technology.
“And after that?”
The question almost always came from the parents, and it is a valid one. Several paths are open after the apprenticeship.
- Further training and manufacturer training courses deepen individual areas, such as control technology or working with specific refrigerants.
- The master craftsman's certificate opens up leadership tasks and the qualification to train apprentices yourself. Preparation takes place at training centres run by the chambers of skilled crafts, on a full-time or part-time basis.
- State-Certified Technician is the route via technical college.
- A degree course is also possible with an appropriate higher education entrance qualification.
The need is there. Because natural refrigerants, heat recovery and statutory requirements on energy efficiency are making systems more demanding in terms of control technology, the need for people who master both – the mechanics and the controls – is growing. Anyone who has learnt the trade is needed.
What KSI Kältetechnik contributes to this
We do not train apprentices to fill gaps. Those who start with us should stay. Currently four apprentices with us, they work on real projects from the very beginning.
What this includes:
- Permanent employment contract after the apprenticeship
- Regulated working hours, that allow for a family life
- No on-call duty and no weekend duty for apprentices
- Own training workshop at Heinsdorfergrund for the practical part
- Vocational school in Reichenbach, i.e. without relocation
- Travel allowance and meal subsidy, because building sites are rarely on your doorstep
- reimbursement of driving licence costs is possible
- Holiday and Christmas bonus, meal allowance and job bike
- Company pension scheme and an annual driving safety training course
A driving licence is more than a bonus here. Anyone travelling to installation sites in the Vogtland needs one, and the costs are noticeable for a family. That's why we talk about it early instead of leaving it to chance.
We were not the only ones with a stand
In Reichenbach, more than 110 exhibitors presented themselves, companies, authorities, schools, universities and social institutions, together over 300 occupational profiles. At many stands, young people could try things out for themselves, from virtual welding equipment to insights into nursing professions. The market was organised by the town of Reichenbach and the SAQ Sächsische Aufbau- und Qualifizierungsgesellschaft.
In this selection, professions compete for attention, not just companies. Big names attract attention on their own. A profession whose title already stumbles when read aloud, on the other hand, needs to be explained, and this is exactly where the value of these events lies: five minutes at the stand achieve more than any brochure that remains unread at home.
Anyone who missed us in Plauen or Reichenbach, or only came across the profession later, can get in touch at any time. A Internship is the easiest way to find out whether the profession is the right fit. A week in the workshop and on site tells you more than any description.
Two days in pictures
How you come on board
Available apprenticeship places can be found on our Career page. Applications should be sent by email to info@ksi-kaelte.de or directly via the Application form. A cover letter doesn't need to be a novel. We're interested in why you're interested in technology.
We are happy to answer questions in advance by phone. There's no such thing as a silly question, not even about vocational school.
