High-quality vocational training

Honour where honour is due: Friedrich Schiller University Jena has been recognised as a »Exemplary Training Organisation«. Katja König, Deputy Chief Executive of the East Thuringia Chamber of Crafts, presented the certificate and a commemorative plaque to the university’s Head of Human Resources, Moritz Badel, today, Thursday 27 August. The ceremony took place in the university’s Botanical Garden. According to the Chamber of Crafts’ honours regulations, the award may be conferred upon craft enterprises that have rendered outstanding service over many years in promoting the next generation of craftspeople.

Carpenters regularly top their year’s class

Training co-ordinator Nick Wartenberg says that there are currently just over 50 trainees at the university learning a total of eleven trades, with an almost equal number of men and women. These include chemistry and biology laboratory assistants, IT specialists, gardeners and media designers. The award now presented specifically recognises the training of carpenters and electronics technicians; the Chamber of Skilled Trades is the responsible body for both trades. »“Our carpenters are regularly recognised as the best trainees in their year group”«, says Nick Wartenberg. Just last year, Julius Scheibel and Friedrich Ronneburger received prizes for the »Best Journeyman’s Piece 2025«. This honour also extends to trainer Dominik Obst and Jakob Linde, head of the construction technology department.

The next round of applications begins in September

The university has been providing training in numerous trades since the 1990s, and in carpentry since as early as 1984, says Jacob Linde. During this period, some trades have been added, whilst others have disappeared. For example, until 2003, the university trained electricians; since 2003, it has been training electronics technicians. The university cooperates with various vocational schools on theoretical training, including the State Vocational Training Centre in Jena-Göschwitz, and vocational schools in Sondershausen, Erfurt, Weimar, Leipzig and Dresden-Radebeul. Other partner institutions|cooperation partners include the Training Centre of the Chamber of Skilled Trades in Zeulenroda and the Training Centre in Gera-Aga.

The next round of applications at Friedrich Schiller University begins in September. For the 2027 apprenticeship year, the university is seeking biology and chemistry laboratory assistants, as well as office administration assistants, media specialists, IT specialists for applications and systems, industrial mechanics, media designers for image and sound, and joiners. Candidates will now learn their trade at an »exemplary training company« and, upon successful completion of their training, will be offered a contract for at least one year.