Apprenticeships the answer to a lack of skilled staff
Ingolstadt/Neckarsulm (ots)
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http://recherche.newsaktuell.de/galerie.htx?type=obs* Audi starts "Initiative for more Training" * Agreement signed today
600 more apprenticeships at Audi! "Together with the Works Council we have started a unique 'Initiative for more Training'", declared Dr. h. c. Andreas Schleef , Member of the Audi Board for Human Resources, today at the signing of the company agreement in Ingolstadt. Audi is finding itself increasingly frequently at the limits of its production capacity. The labour market has been swept clean, explained Schleef, and, more than ever before, there is a lack of qualified personnel in metalworking and electrical engineering professions.
The new concept proposes to increase the number of apprenticeships per training year by a total of 195 to 687 at the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants from 2001. As Schleef explained, "This can be realised within a short period by extending daily training hours". This will gradually increase the total number of apprenticeships from around 1,400 at the moment to more than 2,000.
For key professions, such as "mechatronic", industrial electronics engineer and production mechanic, Audi is planning to introduce staggered training hours in the form of a special shift model. Apprentices will be able to take time off in lieu for working the late shift. Training will take about three and a half years. Once the first group of apprentices have completed their vocational training, which will be monitored scientifically, it will be decided in 2005 once the results have been presented whether this new arrangement should apply for an indefinite period. "This measure means greater flexibility in the training sector. It is a unique offer which will help create jobs and ensure the future of our production sites, a new alliance for training", declared Xaver Meier, Chairman of the General Works Council.
The Audi Group had a total workforce of 48,402 as at 30 June 2000 (up 6.4 percent on the previous year). Audi has taken on more than 10,000 employees at its German plants in the last five years. Around two thirds of industrial employees are skilled metalworkers.
Audi is an international developer and manufacturer of high-quality cars. The company maintains production sites in Germany, Hungary, Brazil, China and South Africa. In 1999 Audi supplied around 635,000 cars and produced more than 1.2 million engines, bringing in sales revenues in excess of DM 29.6 billion.
Note: A photo of industrial apprentices at Audi can be obtained through obs (dpa).
Communication: Corporate and Finance Joachim Cordshagen, Tel: +49 841/89-36340, Fax: +49 841/89-36370 e-mail: joachim.cordshagen@audi.de Dr. Ute Röding-Lange, Tel: +49 841/89-36384, Fax: +49 841/89-36370 e-mail: ute.roeding-lange@audi.de
Original content of: Audi AG, transmitted by news aktuell