EU MANUFACTURING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Country specific
The Belgian government encourages and supports several apprenticeship programs, depending on the sector and the level of certification. Apprenticeship programs are a very good source for recruiting into technical positions for our site. They guarantee a sustainable and highly qualified workforce for the future. The system in place in Belgium is supported by the regional government as this is an appropriate way to help young people to find a job.

Program Objectives
To identify, recruit and train talented young people and ensure a smooth workforce and succession planning at the manufacturing site. Young students learn on the job from experienced employees, who share enriching professional and personal experiences, transmitting expertise, and the company’s culture and values.

Locations

• Seneffe

Occupations

• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Laboratory Technician
• Quality Assurance Technician

Program Structure
Duration: Depends on the program and specification –from 3 to 12months.

Dual system: Learning in school (15 days/month) and at the site (15 days/months).

Contract Type
During apprenticeship: Specific student contract partially subsidized by regional authorities.

Timeline

1. Sourcing: March/April2.
2. Interviews: May/June3.
3. Onboarding: Depends on the program.

Country specific
The French government has voted multiple laws in favour of apprenticeships, in particular in support of extending apprenticeships to the age of 25 and increasing financial support for companies that employ apprentices. In order to facilitate the employment of young people in France, a new legal requirement was introduced in 2013 regarding the employment of apprentices. As a consequence, an action plan is in place across Dow France legal entities to support the hiring of apprentices. For 2015, to reinforce the employment of apprentices in companies with more than 250 employees, the French government has established an apprentice quota of 5% of headcount.

Program Objectives
To tackle the departure of the ageing workforce in France (54% of Dow Technicians in Manufacturing & Engineering are older than 45 years), the apprenticeship program is an important pipeline for ensuring a sustainable and skilled pool of young workers in operation. The apprenticeship program in France is in general an important source of Fresh Graduates hiring, while Dow participates in their education program. This approach is fully aligned with local labour best practices and obligations.

Location

• Chauny
• Erstein
• Drusenhiem
• Villers Saint Paul
• Lauterbourg
• Paris
• Valbonne

Occupations

• Chemical Plant Operator
• Chemical Lab Technician
• Electro Technician for Automation Engineering
• Industrial Mechanic Technician
• Maintenance Technician
• Employee Health & Safety Technician
• Run plant Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Chemist
• Customer Service Representative

Program Structure
Duration: 1 to 3 years

Dual system: Learning in school and at Dow

Learning On The Job (60%): 3 days in the Company or weekly part time.

Learning In School (40%): 2 days per week in school or weekly part time to learn theoretical background of thechosen profession. The education fees of an apprenticeship are founded on the Apprenticeship Tax paid each year by all companies in France.

Graduation: Graduation is possible after 1 to 3 years depending on the apprenticeship program. Written and practical examinations are a requirement. The apprenticeship program is a means to obtain a degree from vocational up to Engineer and Master levels.

Contract Type
During apprenticeship: Temporary/limited Dow contract.

After successful graduation: Permanent or temporary positions.

Job points after graduation:
Operations operators/mechanicians: 67
Research & Development Technicians: 90
Customer Service: 104
Research & Development and Operations Engineers: 120

Timeline

1. Sourcing: April/May
2. Interviews: June
3. Offers: July
4. Onboarding: 1st September/1st October

Country specific
The apprenticeship program is one of the main pillars of the education system in Germany. With the Act for Vocational Training, which the government signed in 1969, companies are challenged to provide enough vocational training positions each year to satisfy the high demand for skilled labour.

Apprenticeship programs are the main source for recruiting into technical positions in German companies. They guarantee a sustainable and highly qualified workforce for the future as we respond to the increasing age of our workforce. The content of the apprenticeship programs is defined by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Program Objectives
Dow’s manufacturing and engineering function in Germany is facing a serious challenge. In the near future, more than 500 employees will retire; 56% of Technicians in Manufacturing & Engineering (M&E) and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) are older than 45 years. The apprenticeship program is the most important pipeline to fill the anticipated gaps that this will create over coming years.

Location

• Ahlen
• Bomlitz
• Rheinmünster
• Schkopau
• Bitterfeld
• Stade
• Wiesbaden
• Greppin

Occupations

• Production Technician
• Laboratory Technician
• Maintenance Technician
• Electrical Technician
• Instrument Technician
• Administration

Program Structure
Duration: 3 to 3 ½ years

Dual system: Learning in school and at Dow

Learning On The Job: In the training center (Schkopau, Stade, Rheinmünster) and in plants on rotational basis.

Learning In School: A combination of in-plant training assignments and training center classes and exercises on a rotational basis.

Graduation: Normal graduation is after 3 ½ years (3 years for highly skilled apprentices). Exams must be successfully passed:

1. Exam: After second year (written exam)
2. Exam: After 3rd or 3 ½ year (writtenexam)
3. Oral + practical exam at the end of the apprenticeship.

Contract Type
During apprenticeship: Temporary/limited Dow contract.

After successful graduation: Permanent or temporary positions.
Job points after graduation: 67

Timeline

1. Sourcing: June/September
2. Interviews: October
3. Offers: November
4. Onboarding: 1st September following year

Country specific
The internship program in the Netherlands is an integral part of secondary vocational training. The program is seen as very valuable by the Dutch Government. It is the ideal pportunity to get young people in touch with the future profession. For Dow in The Netherlands, the recruitment of apprentice graduates is an important source to fill the pipeline for the Operator and Maintenance Technicians roles. We have a gentleman’s agreement with companies in the “Kanaalzone” region. This informal understanding ensures that we share the available students with other companies in the region. The number of students Dow gets depends on the number of technicians we have in our Company during that year. The more technicians in the Company, the more trainees we get internally. At Dow, we use the same distribution key; the plants with the most technicians are obliged to host the most trainees.

Program Objectives
The environment in which Dow operates in the Netherlands has a sparsely placed, aging population. The apprenticeship program is an important pipeline to get qualified young people onboard at an early stage. It enables us to have a diverse workforce. The apprenticeship program brands Dow as an employer of choice in the region and a great place to work. Target of the program is to increase the number of graduate apprentices into Dow with permanent contracts.

Location

• Terneuzen
• Delfzijl

Occupations

• Process Operators
• Lab Technician
• Electro Technicians
• Maintenance Technicians

Program Structure
Duration: 4 years

Dual system: Learning in school and at Dow

First 3 Years: 5 days school during 42 weeks of the year with an internship period of 10 weeks per year.

Last Year: In the last year the internship period lasts for 20 weeks. The internship periods are normally held atdifferent companies. These periods give the students a good impression of the profession and the diversity that exists within the profession. After graduation, young people can make a choice to continue learning at a higher level or start employment as a Technician.

Contract Type
During apprenticeship: Temporary contract via contractor agency

During apprenticeship: Temporary contract via contractor agency

Job points after graduation: 58

Timeline

1. Sourcing: March (before Graduation)
2. Graduation: June
3. Interviews: July
4. Onboarding: 1st September/1st October

Country specific
In 2011, Dow Iberica in Tarragona launched the Regional Dual Vocational and Practical Apprenticeship Program, to both tackle the ageing workforce situation and to promote youth employment at a country level. Dow Iberica has signed an agreement with the regional government and the chemical specialized technical vocational centers to partner in a dual education apprenticeship program for chemical plant operators, analytical technicians and industrial maintenance craftsman. Every year, the most talented students of the “chemical and maintenance industry” at the technical vocation centers (approximately 20 operators and 10 maintenance craftsman) are selected to follow this apprenticeship program including both academic and practical training. The best students completing the full program are eligible for a contract with the Company subject to hiring needs and available vacancies. This initiative matches local labour market needs with a modern and targeted technical education and a better qualified workforce, while also promoting and influencing careers amongst the young population.

Program Objectives
To identify, recruit and train talented young people and ensure a smooth workforce and succession planning at the manufacturing site. Young students learn on the job from older employees, who share enriching professional and personal experiences, transmitting expertise, Dow Company culture and values and who close intergenerational gaps.

Location

• Tarragona North
• Tarragona South

Occupations

• Chemical Plant Operators
• Analytical Technicians
• ndustrial Maintenance Technicians (Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation)

Program Structure
Duration: 2years

1st year: Training at School + Hands-on training in Dow

2nd year: Remunerated contract in Dow

Final Step: Students passing Gate keeping 3 will potentially be hired according to Dow needs (No obligation to hire)

Contract Type
During apprenticeship: Temporary, full time contract.

After successful graduation: Permanent or temporary positions.
Job points after graduation: 058

Timeline

1. Sourcing: May/June
2. Interviews: June/July
3. Offers: September
4. Onboarding: 1st October at the latest

Country specific
Apprenticeship programs have a long standing tradition in Switzerland; they are well supported and requested by the Swiss Government. The apprenticeships enable young people to combine learning in school with learning in workplace settings. The vocational education and training system in Switzerland is the mainstream upper secondary program. It prepares a broad cross-section of students including high achievers for careers in a range of occupations. It enjoys very strong support from Swiss employers, who credit it with being a major contribution to the continuing vitality and strength of the Swiss economy. One major of the strength of that economy is that Switzerland enjoys virtually full employment, with a youth unemployment rate that is the lowest among developed countries.

Program Objectives
Vocational and professional education and training is a mission shouldered by the Swiss Confederation, the Cantons and professional organizations. These three partners are jointly committed to the highest possible standard of apprenticeship programs and strive to ensure that there are an adequate number of apprenticeships and courses available. The aim of the program is to identify, recruit and train talented young people and ensure a smooth workforce and succession planning into the laboratory as well as administration positions. Young students learn on the job from older employees, enriching their professional and personal experiences, transitioning their expertise, Company culture and values and closing intergenerational gaps.

Location

• Horgen

Occupations

• Laboratory Technician Chemistry
• Laboratory Technician Biology
• Plastics Extrusion Technician
• Mechanical Technician
• Commercial/ Administrative Specialist

Program Structure
Duration: Depending on the profession, the timeline can vary from 3 to 4 years

Dual system: Learning in school and at Dow

Learning In School: 1 to 2 days per week in school to learn theoretical background of the chosen profession

Learning On The Job: 3 to 4 days within the Company in rotation at plants plus internal theoretical classes

Graduation: Graduation after 3 to 4 years at the end of the program. Written and practical examinations required.

Contract Type
During apprenticeship: Limited contract

After successful graduation: 12 months limited contract as part of our Young Talent Program or hired for an open permanent position with unlimited contract.

Timeline

1. Sourcing: August
2. Interviews: September/October
3. Offers: November
4. Onboarding: August following year

Country specific
In UK apprenticeships are a way to earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. Coupled with additional training from a partner training provider, the individual will work towards nationally recognised qualifications. These programs have benefits for both individuals (apprentices) and employers. Most of the training is carried out by the employer working in collaboration with an approved training provider, who manages the apprentice’s training and assessment programme.

Program Objectives
To train and develop selected members of the community to become qualified in engineering trades crafts to a nationally certified standard of knowledge and skills to meet the site’s future trades/craft requirements.

Location

• Barry

Occupations

• Mechanical Technician
• Electrical / Instrumentation and Analyser Technician
• Rigger
• Elastomers (Mechatronics) Technician

Program Structure
The standard period of the apprenticeship is 4 years, combining learning at Dow with learning at college. Attendance at college is full time in the first year and part time in the following years. Learning on the job includes skills training and practical experience in the workshop with some controlled field experience as well as attendance during college closure periods. Graduation is 3 to 4 years at the end of the program. Written and practical examinations required. On or around 31 August on successful completion of the required courses, the apprentice will be awarded with a Modern Apprenticeship Certificate.

Contract Type
An indication of intent from Dow Corning will be made to the apprentice 3 months prior to completion of the apprenticeship. Factors listed below are considered for continued employment at Dow Corning following completion of the apprenticeship programme:

• Formal approval through site management procedures to offer employment, generally dependent on a relevant job vacancy.
• Attainment of all the above listed qualifications, satisfactory performance together with a positive and supportive attitude.

Timeline
The standard period of the apprenticeship will be four years. The Program commences at an agreed date prior to the start of the college year (on or around September 1). Employment may start earlier (August, or as soon as the candidate reaches the age of 16) for induction training; i.e., an introduction to the relevant people, workplace and associated systems prior to starting full time college.