Terex’s welder wins German competition
12 December 2011Thomas Maske, a construction mechanic training at Terex’s Zweibruecken factory in Germany, took the first place prize for gas tungsten arc welding (GATW) at an association-organised national welding competition in Hamburg on October 14th, 2011.
Terex instructors are meeting with trained welder shortages in Germany by training nearly 100 young men and women including Maske in construction mechanics, industrial mechanics, machinists, and mechatronics.
Some of these trainees, aged 16 to 23, went to compete in Hamburg, where they welded several test pieces to demonstrate their skills with welding.
An additional a theory test evaluated their knowledge of process, materials science, and safety.
Maske’s first-place prize was a welder certificate: a wielding qualification valid throughout all of Europe.
Maske said he prepared for the competition and thanked his instructors.
“I learned a lot, especially during the period of intensive preparation in the run-up to the competition. I benefitted enormously from the great support I received from Terex, as well as from the expert guidance of my instructor, Jürgen Hoffmann.”
Maske and another Terex student Steven Müller participated at a welding competition between Chinese and German welders that took place in the fall of 2011 in Lüneburg, Germany.
A month later Rheinland-Pfalz Chamber of Industry and Commerce awarded Terex an “Extraordinary Apprentice Training Center” certificate.
Terex student, Sascha Hamm, was preselected as a potential candidate by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s EuroSkills competition to promote industrialization, and will go to the global competition if he passes the next round.
Terex believes the growing international renown of its students boosts the attractiveness of its training programs.
Michael Wöhler, vice president of human resources in Germany said, “These achievements, as well as the recognition we have received from trade associations and other companies, show us that we are definitely on the right path when it comes to our recruitment and training program for young talent and that we have set the right course for the future with our personnel policies.”
“Their success has been astounding, as evidenced by the fact that these Terex apprentices have come out on top, time and time again, in national and international competitions for young talent while displaying their extraordinary skills,” said Wöhler.
