Passionate about fostering young talent

You treat steel and metal parts with the processes of hot-dip galvanising and powder coating; thanks to your work, even the smallest parts, as well as constructions weighing tonnes, receive lasting corrosion protection – this refers to process mechanics for coating technology with a focus on hot-dip galvanising. The surface specialist ZINQ has been training individuals in this profession for 20 years now. 20 years in which 203 young adults have since graduated. 

Training staff to a high standard whilst also trying something new? At ZINQ – a company that was awarded the „Ausbildungs-Ass in Gold„ back in 2013 for its systematic training programme – this is very much standard practice. Marius Mann, Head of Human Resources at ZINQ, explains: “We have been providing training in the commercial sector for more than 70 years. In 2001, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the relevant trade associations, we developed the industrial-technical training programme “Process Mechanic for Coating Technology – specialising in hot-dip galvanising„. Up until that point, the hot-dip galvanising industry had primarily relied on semi-skilled workers. However, against the backdrop of rapidly increasing customer demands on processes and products – particularly with the ongoing introduction of innovations into existing processes – the need for a dedicated apprenticeship programme for employees in the industrial sector became increasingly urgent.“ Eighteen apprentices started on 1 September of that same year; two decades later, another 25 interested candidates are beginning their training „at the kettle“ at ZINQ. The retention rate following the apprenticeship currently stands at around 80 per cent in the „industrial-technical sector“. ZINQ is combating the shortage of skilled workers – a problem widely lamented in many places – not only by running its own apprenticeship programme with all available resources. Since 2019, significant steps have been taken to develop an employer branding campaign and “Mach dein ZINQ” (find out more at: www.mach-dein-zinq.com) to build a comprehensive employer brand. A few years after the launch of the successful apprentice blog „Mach Dein ZINQ,“ which primarily aimed to raise awareness of the apprenticeship profession of „Process Mechanic for Coating Technology with a focus on hot-dip galvanising“ and was deliberately placed in the hands of the aspiring specialists, the company now bundles all measures for the training and further development of all employees under the initiative „Mach Dein ZINQ“ — with the goal that everyone can contribute their talents and interests to ZINQ in the best possible way, and individual strengths are promoted and developed within the company. Since then, many former ZINQ apprentices have written impressive success stories at the company.

Victor Haseloff has held his qualification as a process mechanic for coating technology with a focus on hot-dip galvanising since 2015 and currently holds the position of Works Management Assistant at the ZINQ site in Hagen. At Hagen, complex underbody components for automobiles, for example, are protected in the 7-metre microZINQ plant (opened in 2015; funded by the European Regional Development Fund) – before subsequently being installed for use all over the world. He reports that his expectations of the training have been more than met: „I had initially studied Nanotechnology and Business Informatics at university for six semesters, until I realised that I wasn’t really the theoretical type, but rather someone who prefers a technical and practical profession. And at the latest during the job interview and the taster day in Gelsenkirchen, ZINQ was more than able to impress me, because the career opportunities shown to me in goods inwards, production planning, pre-treatment, galvanising/bath area, post-treatment, rework, weighing, and goods outwards are simply versatile. Ultimately, however, I am still enthusiastic about direct customer contact and technical consultation, as well as monitoring production plants, including operating large machinery and crane systems. Despite shift work, I was able to successfully complete my state-certified mechanical engineering technician course at evening school in recent years. And that’s not all, because in November I will be starting further training to become a technical business administrator – and once again, I can count on the support of my employer.“

Versatile training for the skilled professionals of tomorrow

While the young people receive their practical training in one of ZINQ's 26 German plants, the theoretical part, including block lessons at the Vocational College for Technology and Design and additional further training measures with partner organisations such as GSI SLV, primarily takes place in Gelsenkirchen, which is also the headquarters of the corporate group. Dirk Rothmann, an expert in production processes and optimisations at ZINQ Technology, has always been involved in training the skilled workers of tomorrow. He reports that the number of industrial-technical apprentices in the company has now tripled, as not only every three years as initially, but an entire vocational school class is now provided annually. „The different school qualifications and personal career paths mean that the starting age can vary. We have applicants between the ages of 16 and 25. This always requires a certain degree of flexibility on both sides. The joint accommodation for all apprentices during their block periods in Gelsenkirchen has been provided since 2012 in the „Mach Dein ZINQ-Haus“, the youth hostel Grimberg. This fosters closeness and team spirit – across age groups too,“ he explains.

https://www.mach-dein-zinq.com/karriere/.