Top achievements in vocational training recognized

Lukas Maier (Pfreimd) and Bastian Roidl (Teublitz) from Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH in Wackersdorf awarded the GKV Incentive Prize from the German Association of Plastics Converters e.V. (GKV)
From left to right: Klaus-Uwe Reiß (Chairman of pro-K), the two prize winners: Bastian Roidl (former student and now Master’s student, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf), Lukas Maier (Process Engineer, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf) and Ralf Olsen (CEO of pro-K), Picture: Karin Fischer, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf
Lukas Maier (Pfreimd) and Bastian Roidl (Teublitz) from Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH in Wackersdorf awarded the GKV Incentive Prize from the German Association of Plastics Converters e.V. (GKV)
From left to right: Klaus-Uwe Reiß (Chairman of pro-K), the two prize winners: Bastian Roidl (former student and now Master’s student, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf), Lukas Maier (Process Engineer, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf) and Ralf Olsen (CEO of pro-K), Picture: Karin Fischer, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf

Lukas Maier (Pfreimd) and Bastian Roidl (Teublitz) from Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH in Wackersdorf awarded the GKV Incentive Prize from the German Association of Plastics Converters e.V. (GKV)

Wackersdorf, June 19, 2019. The EUR 5,000 in prize money for the GKV Incentive Prize is awarded annually to the plastics and rubber processing engineer apprentices who achieve the best grades. This year, dual studies undergraduates Lukas Maier and Bastian Roidl from Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH came out on top from a pool of 2,400 apprentices and as such belong to the ten most highly qualified apprentices in Germany. The prize not only celebrates the apprentices themselves but also the companies and vocational colleges that provide them with quality training.

As the trade association for plastics and rubber processing engineers, the GKV has been presenting its Incentive Prize to Germany’s ten best apprentices on this training course every year since 2001. “For us, it’s almost become a given that the apprentices and dual studies undergraduates from Gerresheimer Medical Systems are consistently among the best GKV prize winners. 2019 is now the eleventh year that dual studies undergraduates and apprentices at Gerresheimer have won the GKV Incentive Prize. “I’d like to congratulate both them and the highly qualified, committed trainers who have made this success possible. It shows that what we have at the Technical Competence Center in Wackersdorf is a real training ground for the talented professionals we need in the demanding market for drug delivery devices, and medical and diagnostic products,” explains CEO of Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Regensburg, Manfred Baumann. This year, the highest grades went to Bastian Roidl (a past student and now a Master’s student), who achieved 97 out of 100 available points and therefore came in first place. Former dual studies student Lukas Maier, who now works as a process engineer in the Moulds department at Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH in Wackersdorf, took second place with 96 points.

The award ceremony was held on June 12 at the TCC in Wackersdorf. After a welcome speech from Manfred Baumann, Ralf Olsen (CEO of pro-K, a member company of the GKV) presented the winners with their certificates and prize money. First, second, and third place are awarded EUR 1,500, EUR 1,000, and EUR 300 respectively. The prize winners also receive an annual subscription to the magazine “Kunststoffe” (“Plastics”) and become members of the “Club der Besten” (“Club of the Best”).

Training to become a plastics and rubber processing engineer opens up a career in a varied burgeoning industry. During their training at our training center, the apprentices learn all about materials, the chemistry of plastics, and injection-moulding technology. They are also given a grounding in metalworking as well as in interpreting and producing technical drawings. The apprenticeship usually lasts three years after which there is an option to complete further training to become an industrial foreman in the specialist field of plastics and rubber or a plastics and rubber engineer. Apprentices with the right skill set can also move onto a degree in plastics engineering or combine their training with a degree right from the outset by way of a dual program of study.

German Association of Plastics Converters e.V. (GKV)

The GKV is the leading German industrial association for companies involved in processing plastics and supporter of the apprenticeship in plastics and rubber processing engineering. As an umbrella organization, it brings together and represents the common interests of its member companies, giving them a voice in the public and political spheres. With an annual revenue of EUR 65.7 billion and 335,000 employees in almost 3,000 plants, the plastics processing industry forms one of the key pillars of the German economy.
Consisting primarily of SMEs, the segment is characterized by a high level of innovative capability and a huge variety of different products. Plastics are used in nearly all areas of life.

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer is a leading global partner to the pharma and healthcare industry. With specialty glass and plastic products, the Company contributes to health and well-being. Gerresheimer operates worldwide and its approximately 10,000 employees manufacture products in local markets, close to its customers. With plants in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, Gerresheimer generates revenues of around EUR 1.4 billion. The comprehensive product portfolio includes pharmaceutical packaging and products for the safe, simple administration of medicines: insulin pens, inhalers, micro pumps, prefillable syringes, injection vials, ampoules, bottles, and containers for liquid and solid medicines with closure and safety systems as well as packaging for the cosmetics industry.