Extrusion International USA 3-2020

12 Extrusion International 3/2020 INDUSTRY NEWS Following on from Mexico and China, the global specialist for plastic packaging and recycling, the ALPLA Group, is now introducing dual training in additional countries: the first ap- prentices in India and Poland will be trained according to the Austrian model starting this autumn. The global family-owned enterprise based in Austria is cur- rently training 250 apprentices around the world, not only in Austria and Germany, where the dual training system taking place at a company and at school has a long tradition, but also in China and Mexico. India and Poland are now set to follow this year. The aim is to be one step ahead in covering the rising demand for skilled workers in these regions. India’s first Future Corner – the term ALPLA uses for its train- ing workshops – is currently under development in the city of seven million, Hyderabad. The prospective machining techni- cians and mechatronics technicians will begin their training based on the Austrian model in the autumn. This opportuni- ty will be given to up to ten young people a year. Two Indian instructors will be responsible for their practical training at the plant, while the theory side of things will be handled in cooperation with a local polytechnic. Professional training will likewise get under way in Ostrów Mazowiecka north-east of Warsaw in the autumn. Six me- chatronics technicians a year will be trained up in Poland. Recognised qualification It takes a lot of preparation to introduce dual training in a new country. This includes talking to the local authorities, selecting the right school and settling on a curriculum. “The concept of dual training is only familiar to people in central Europe. But it is important to us that young people can earn themselves a qualification which is recognised in their coun- Dual Training toNewCountries ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG www.alpla.com try,” emphasises Fässler. At the end of the training, the ap- prentices take an exam in front of Austrian representatives. A certificate of equivalence can be applied for in Austria as the vocational and practical knowledge acquired is in line with the basics of the Austrian job profile. Those who have graduated in Mexico and China over the years stand as a testament to the successful implementa- tion of dual training abroad. Dual training began in Toluca, Mexico, in 2013. Upon completing their apprenticeships, the skilled workers work at the four plants in Mexico. Three apprenticeships are now offered in Mexico: mechatronics, machining and plastics moulding. A total of 16 new ap- prentices were welcomed last autumn – a new record. Nine apprentices successfully completed their training this Feb- ruary, bringing the total number of apprentices in Mexico with a training qualification to 45. Of these 45 graduates, 40 work at ALPLA. POWTECH INDIA postponed to February 2021 POWTECH INDIAwill be postponed due to current circum- stances from its initial dates in September 2020 to February 2021. POWTECH INDIA will now take place parallel to HPCI India on 11 to 12 February 2021 in Mumbai. Companies can register for the trade fair with accompanying congress and supporting programme. Since 2010, NürnbergMesse India has been involved in organising events for the powder and bulk solids industries in India. POWTECH INDIA brings together India’s experts from the production and processing technology environment. Deci- sion-makers from the chemical, pharmaceutical and food production sectors, but also from the energy, recycling and non-metallic mineral (pit and quarry) industries, can find out all about the technologies that matter to them at the exhibition and accompanying congress. The wide range on display and the presence of international market lead- ers make POWTECH INDIA, which was previously known as Powder and Bulk Solids India, an important industry gather- ing. NürnbergMesse GmbH powtech-india.com Nine apprentices in Toluca, Mexico, obtained the training qualification according to the Austrian model in February (Copyright: ALPLA)