Success with tailor-made CITT qualification: This is how Rheinböllen shapes the transformation

An autonomous mobile robot (AMR) transports loads of more than one ton, making it a practical helper for the factories of the future – at Continental as well as at external customers. The AMR was co-developed in Rheinböllen and is now produced there in small series. A technical innovation that has given the site affected by transformation a new perspective for the future. And at the same time presented him with a major task: Is it possible to turn the employees who had previously carried out mechanical activities in the production of brake calipers into specialists in the field of electronics and mechatronics? Spoiler: You can!

This is where the CITT comes into play: Together with HR, the specialist departments and works councils of the site, the institute developed a tailor-made transformation qualification for "Electricians and Mechatronic Systems". This means that the employees can be deployed in both areas of the site: brake production and the AMR environment. In 63 days of training, the participants go through 7 modules and in this way obtain two IHK certificates ("Electrician for specified activities" and "PLC basic module").

"In order to draw attention to the new offer and to present the opportunities offered by the qualification, we organized information days at the site," says Björn Weisgerber, Head of Training and Development at the Rheinböllen site and thus also the interface between CITT, departments and the works council. More than 150 out of 200 eligible employees informed themselves about the CITT qualification, and almost 90 expressed their interest. After the selection process, 38 employees have successfully completed the qualification so far, spread over three classes. Two more classes are planned for this year.

The fact that the concept seems to be working is shown by the first graduating class, which began its training in April 2022: Nine of the eleven CITT graduates subsequently applied for positions in the AMR sector. The first of them are already integrated into the AMR team and rotate flexibly between the new AMR tasks and traditional brake production.

Two of them are Michael Sterger and Heike Stiehl. The CITT's offer immediately met with interest from both of them: Michael had completed his training as an industrial mechanic in 2019 and had previously worked purely mechanically. "At the same time, however, I found the whole electric base totally exciting and see the future potential in it. In this respect, the decision to continue my training was a no-brainer for me," says the 31-year-old.

Heike – a fitter in the assembly department and, at the age of 60, both the only woman and the oldest in her class – felt the same way: "I'm someone who is unhappy if I can't learn anything new. So, I never understood the question of why I was still doing a qualification. On the contrary, I was happy that my age was not an obstacle. After all, I want to work for a few more years. It was clear to me that I would get this opportunity now – and I would take it."

Despite great motivation, the training also had challenging moments in store for both of them: "The first few weeks were difficult – especially if you didn't have much to do with electrical engineering before. I also had to fight my way through," Michael admits. Heike nods: "I hadn't gone to school for 40 years. Above all, the online lessons and the amount of material were extremely challenging – so much so that I even got myself a private tutor." After the first IHK exam in May, teaching became easier and easier for her, but today she is happy to have persevered.

And the conclusion after seven months? "Overall, the training was great, and I would choose it again at any time," says Michael. "The CITT trainers were also awesome. I always say to my colleagues here at the site: Guys, do it! Whether your professional future lies at Conti or somewhere else, no one can take this qualification away from you!" Heike agrees: "The fact that I have found a new job in this field despite my advanced age and that I can apply my knowledge independently makes me very happy!”