Heating construction is very popular: two trainees are starting their careers in St. Wendel!

Heating construction is very popular: two trainees are starting their careers in St. Wendel!

The skilled workers initiative was launched in St. Wendel to counteract the shortage of skilled workers and get young people interested in technical careers. The focus is on training to become a system mechanic for plumbing, heating and air conditioning technology. Harbinder Singh (18) and Liam Bastuck (16) are two trainees from Lemens GmbH who are completing this promising vocational training in the heart of the city. Managing director Lars Lemens, who is the second generation to run the company founded in 1996, is very satisfied with the performance of his trainees, but points out existing deficits. They also receive support from Stefan Kunz, managing director of the training and further education support association.

The training to become a system mechanic extends over a period of 3.5 years and represents an exciting combination of various technical disciplines. The profession was created in 2003 by combining the professions of gas and water installer and heating and ventilation engineer, with qualifications in areas such as solar and electrical engineering also being integrated. In particular, manual skills, technical interest and a talent for working with metal are prerequisites for successful training.

Diverse training content

During the training, the trainees learn various techniques and skills that are required for their future career. The training content includes, among other things, water technology, air technology and environmental technology. A typical working day in this job includes a variety of tasks, such as renovating bathrooms, setting up solar systems or replacing underfloor heating. Michael S., a 25-year-old plant mechanic, emphasizes that the job is very versatile and offers a lot of variety.

However, the effort that comes with the job should not be underestimated. The physicality of the job, working on construction sites with building rubble and heating oil, as well as the cold on construction sites, often pose a challenge. Due to the physical demands and the special specialist knowledge required for this training, women have rarely chosen this profession, while it is predominantly carried out by men. Despite these challenges, the profession is considered future-proof and is offered in numerous companies in business and industry.

Training company Lemens GmbH

Lemens GmbH in St. Wendel is training the two young men. The company currently employs 22 people and is committed to supporting the next generation of skilled workers in this important professional field. The managing director emphasizes that despite the satisfaction with the trainees, it is important to continuously work on skills in order to meet the challenges of the market. Apprenticeships are in high demand in both industry and business, with companies placing increasing emphasis on practical skills rather than on the trainees' grades.