Implenia apprentices from ten trades celebrate graduation together
Dietlikon, 8 July 2016 – This Thursday, 74 Implenia apprentices celebrated their graduation with a boat trip on Lake Lucerne. Together with their parents and trainers, as well as CEO Anton Affentranger, Head of HR Group Thomas Foery and Olga Bolliger, Head of Trainees, they toasted the completion of this important phase in their lives. “Training young professionals is not just part of our social responsibility, but it also contributes directly to Implenia’s success,” said CEO Anton Affentranger in his speech, in which he emphasised the importance of vocational training. Most of those who have completed their apprenticeships this year will be starting their professional careers with a job at the Group.
Implenia offers apprenticeships in ten different trades. An apprenticeship at Implenia gives young adults a comprehensive insight into the many facets of their chosen profession. Commercial trainees become all-rounders by working in various departments during the three year course, for example, while apprentice masons hone their skills by completing projects such as building a wall without supervision on an apprentice building site. In the following short interviews four apprentices look back and take stock of what they have done, and then pass on some tips for the next generation of Implenia trainees.
The journey continues: We congratulate our graduates and wish them all the best for their professional career. (Photo: Implenia)
Implenia press contact:
Luzia Montandon
Group Communications
Tel.: +41 58 474 74 77
Dominic Jäger, Office Administrator EFZ M-Profile
You began your first working day atImplenia about three years ago. How have you changed since then? I’m more confident and more independent today than I was three years ago. I’m also more open to other people. What experiences will you be taking with you into your professional working life? I had the opportunity to sample six different departments. I found that the better the team is and the more varied the work, the more fun it is! What did you like best about the apprenticeship? There was an apprentice meeting each semester where I was able to chat with other Implenia apprentices. We always visited construction sites as part of the meet-up. We also went on a two-day apprentices’ trip each year. What plans do you have for life after your apprenticeship? I will stay at Implenia and start a job as a team assistant in the Development business in Winterthur. |
Deborah Batschelet, Road Builder EFZ
Why did you choose this profession?
I’ve always wanted to do a manual trade where I can work outside and where team work is important. I did a trial placement which convinced me that I ought to do an apprenticeship in road building.
What did your parents say about your choice of career?
My parents have always supported my plans and always back me up. It was important to them that I learned something I enjoy and that I saw the apprenticeship through to the end.
What do you like about your trade?
Every day is different. You are always experiencing something new. The way a building site changes from the start to the end of the construction work is always fascinating.
What advice would you give to a new apprentice? What should they be prepared for?
My tip would be to listen to all the input you get from the workers, supervisors and foremen. The apprenticeship is no picnic, but if you stay on the ball and commit yourself, you will be rewarded. I feel really proud when I look at the final product of the work I’ve done. It’s always a very clear reminder of why I’ve been doing all this training.
How do you see your professional future?
I’d like to gain some more work experience for a year or two, and then I’d like to go back to college to learn how to be a foreman.
Sarah Büeler, Joiner EFZ.
If you think back to your first day at Implenia, how did you feel at the time? Before my first official day as a joiner I went to an apprentice camp where I met the other Implenia apprentices. That got rid of some of my nerves. When I officially started on my apprenticeship, I was really excited about all the things I’d be doing over the next four years. If you could choose again, would you still choose the joinery apprenticeship? And if so, why? I would still choose a joinery apprenticeship today. I love being a joiner because I get to work with wood, a natural raw material. And I like being able to see the work I’ve done at the end of the day. What is your most memorable experience from the last four years? I’m regularly confronted by new situations and every day I learn something new. That’s what’s been most exciting so far. What are your career plans now? I’m going to do my professional exams in summer 2017, and before then I want to get some practical experience under my belt. After that I can imagine getting a job in work preparation at a carpentry workshop or architecture firm. |
Xavier Schenker, Mason EFZ.
Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship at Implenia? I chose Implenia because it offers such varied work. And the wide range of projects makes masonry a very interesting profession. Compared with apprenticeships at other companies, what do think were the advantages of being an apprentice at Implenia? We can’t do all the work in the same way that a smaller company would, but we do get to work on some big sites. Another advantage is the support you get from the trainers. What do you like about the job? The best thing is that you can really see exactly what you’ve achieved. And you can still see it many years later! What did you find most challenging in your three years as an apprentice? The biggest challenge was in the first year when we had to make the transition from school to working life. I also felt I had to prove something to the foreman and my colleagues before I was accepted as a full member of the team. Now you have the diploma in your hands, what will you do next? First of all I have to do my military service. Then I want to get some more work experience and do some further training. |
If you are interested in an apprenticeship at Implenia, please contact:
Olga Bolliger
Head of Trainees
Tel.: +41 58 474 12 05
Implenia, Switzerland’s leading construction and construction services company, also has a strong position in the German, Austrian and Scandinavian infrastructure markets. Established in 2006, Implenia can look back on around 150 years of construction tradition. It brings the expertise of its highly skilled sectoral and regional units together under the roof a company active throughout Europe. With its integrated business model and specialists operating in all areas of construction, the Group can manage a building project through its entire lifecycle and deliver work that is economical, integrated and customer-centric. The focus is on striking a sustainable balance between financial success and social and environmental responsibility.
Implenia, with its headquarters in Dietlikon near Zurich, currently employs more than 8,000 people around Europe and posted revenue of around CHF 3.3 billion in 2015. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (IMPN, CH0023868554). More information can be found at www.implenia.com.
