Hiring Industrial Engineering Apprentice (Multi-Domain) in Cologne

Chemplast Sanmar Limited, a leading European specialty chemicals manufacturer and subsidiary of the 70-year-old Sanmar Group (operating across 30+ countries with a focus on sustainable chemical solutions for automotive, pharmaceutical, construction and agricultural industries), is expanding its German operations with three state-of-the-art production facilities in Cologne, Ludwigshafen and Hamburg. Our German sites employ over 1,200 staff and produce high-performance polymers, chlor-alkali products and custom chemical formulations for European and global clients, with certifications to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety). We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by 30% by 2030 via process optimization and renewable energy adoption, with all sites already running on 40% renewable power as of 2024. We are excited to announce 24 paid apprenticeship positions (Ausbildung, compliant with the German Berufsausbildungsgesetz) for industrial engineering specialists across 8 technical domains, starting 1 October 2024. This role is open to candidates with a technical diploma (Fachhochschulreife or equivalent EU qualification) or ongoing engineering degree (Bachelor/Master) seeking hands-on practical training in a large-scale chemical manufacturing environment. The apprenticeship follows the German dual education system: 2 days per week are spent at a partnered vocational school (Berufsschule) for theoretical training, 3 days per week are dedicated to on-site work at our production facilities, with additional block courses for specialized domain training. This is an ideal opportunity for candidates seeking a long-term career in industrial process engineering, technical operations or chemical manufacturing, with a clear path to full-time employment upon successful completion of the 3.5-year program. Your core responsibilities will be measurable and integrated into our on-site teams from day one, with a dedicated senior engineer mentor assigned to support your development: 1. Support production line optimization for specialty chemical manufacturing, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including throughput, yield and energy consumption, and implement small-scale process adjustments to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by at least 5% per apprenticeship year. 2. Assist with maintenance and calibration of electrical and instrumentation systems for production equipment, including Siemens S7 series PLCs, sensors and control panels, documenting all maintenance activities in the SAP PM module to ensure 99.5% equipment uptime per shift. 3. Conduct regular safety inspections of production areas, piping networks and boiler systems, identify potential hazards and support implementation of corrective actions to reduce recordable safety incidents by 10% annually, in line with ISO 45001 requirements. 4. Support the environmental compliance team in monitoring wastewater discharge, air emissions and waste management processes, collect and analyze samples to ensure all outputs meet German Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) regulations and EU REACH standards. 5. Assist civil and structural engineering teams with routine inspections of production facility infrastructure, including storage tanks, pipe racks and building foundations, document findings and support planning of minor repair and maintenance works. 6. Support boiler operations teams in monitoring steam generation systems, record pressure, temperature and fuel consumption data, and assist with scheduled boiler blowdown and maintenance activities to ensure 24/7 reliable steam supply for production processes. 7. Participate in cross-functional project teams for new production equipment installation, support piping design review, equipment layout planning and pre-commissioning testing activities to ensure projects are delivered on time and within 5% of budget targets. 8. Create and update technical documentation for production processes, maintenance procedures and safety protocols, ensure all documents comply with internal quality standards and German regulatory requirements, and make them accessible to all relevant on-site teams. Our work environment is built on flat hierarchies and mutual respect: apprentices are full members of their teams from day one, with no administrative or junior-only tasks. We prioritize work-life balance, with standard working hours of 40 hours per week (including vocational school time), 30 days of paid annual leave, and flexible shift arrangements aligned with vocational school schedules. Regular apprentice networking sessions with senior leadership, on-site fitness facilities, a subsidized canteen and a job ticket for public transport are standard benefits for all apprentices. We also have a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment, and actively encourage apprentices to contribute sustainability ideas for process improvements. To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must hold a Fachhochschulreife (technical diploma) or equivalent EU technical qualification, with a focus on mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil or environmental engineering. German language proficiency at B1 level or higher is required for on-site communication and vocational school participation, with English B2 level preferred for reading technical documentation. You must be willing to work in a shift-based environment (including occasional night and weekend shifts for critical production activities) and pass a pre-employment medical screening required for work in German chemical manufacturing facilities. No prior full-time work experience is required, but internships or part-time technical roles are a plus. Familiarity with AutoCAD, SAP PM, Siemens TIA Portal, HAZOP analysis, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 is beneficial, but full on-the-job training will be provided for all required tools and processes. The compensation and benefits package is fully compliant with German collective bargaining agreements for the chemical industry (IG BCE tariff): Monthly apprenticeship stipend of €1,200 in year 1, €1,350 in year 2, €1,500 in year 3, plus a one-time €1,000 completion bonus upon successful passing of the final apprenticeship exam. We cover 100% of vocational school tuition fees, provide free workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE), offer subsidized on-site canteen meals, a job ticket for public transport, 30 days paid annual leave plus additional paid leave for exam preparation, and access to on-site fitness facilities. Career growth opportunities are clear and structured: top-performing apprentices will be offered a permanent full-time junior engineer position upon completion, with a starting salary of €45,000–€55,000 per year depending on domain. We also fund further professional development, including part-time Bachelor's or Master's engineering degrees, and offer specialization paths in high-growth areas such as sustainable process engineering, carbon capture and storage, and digital manufacturing. Many of our current senior engineers and site managers started their careers as apprentices at Chemplast Sanmar, with promotion to team lead, senior engineer or site management roles typically possible within 5–10 years of employment. The hiring process for this apprenticeship is straightforward, with walk-in interviews held every Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 4pm at our Cologne recruitment office (Chemplast Sanmar GmbH, Industriepark Köln-Nord, 50769 Cologne) until 15 September 2024: 1. Initial screening: Review of your academic certificates and language proficiency proof at the walk-in event. 2. Technical and cultural fit interview: 30-minute technical discussion with a senior engineer from your chosen domain, followed by a 15-minute HR interview to assess team alignment. 3. Final onboarding steps: Medical screening and background check for successful candidates, with apprenticeship contracts signed by 30 September 2024 and onboarding starting 1 October 2024. To attend a walk-in interview, bring your CV, copies of academic certificates, language proficiency proof (if available) and a copy of your ID/passport. You can also pre-register by sending your documents to [email protected] to secure a preferred interview slot. No cover letter is required for walk-in applications.