Hi Luis, what do you like to do in your free time?

I play soccer for the JFG Oberes Rodachtal, so you can often find me at the soccer field. I also like to meet up with my friends or just relax at home.

Can you tell us more about the technical product designer apprenticeship?

There are two different specializations of the technical product designer. One is the specialty of product design and construction and the other is the specialty of machine and plant design. The specialization is usually determined before the apprenticeship starts.

As a technical product designer specializing in the field of product design and construction, you develop, construct and design products according to customer requirements. In some cases, existing products are also optimized according to the customer's wishes. This involves working a lot with 3D programs or also with the 3D printer. Different materials are then selected, for example, taking into account costs, design and technical possibilities.

What is the apprenticeship at RAUMEDIC like?

The dual training lasts 3.5 years, but can be shortened if you perform very well. RAUMEDIC requires a secondary school leaving certificate for this occupational profile. My weekly working hours are 40 hours with 30 days of vacation per year. There are no fixed department changes. The department is divided internally into equipment design, 3D printing and product design.

At the moment, I'm still working a lot in equipment design, but I also get tasks from the other areas. This gives me an insight into the entire range of tasks in my specialist department.

Where and how often do you attend vocational school?

I attend the Marktredwitz - Wunsiedel vocational school center at the Marktredwitz site. There is also a dormitory there where students can stay for the whole week. Since I have chosen product design and construction as my specialization, I spend the last 1.5 years of my training at the vocational school in Lichtenfels.

I always have two weeks at a time of block school at different intervals. During the school year, I write impromptu assignments and schoolwork.

My subjects include:

• Planning and design
• Manufacturing and materials
• project planning
• technical systems

In the subject "Planning and Design" I analyze and record technical systems, create components according to specifications with the help of a computer program or create and modify 3D data sets of components. In the "Manufacturing and Materials" subject, we discuss topics such as the effect on component designs of different manufacturing processes and materials. We deal with customer-oriented order execution or product development in the learning field "order project planning". In the subject "technical systems" we learn to create data sets and documentation for them.

The final examination, Part 1, is held at the end of the second year of training and counts for 30% of the overall result. Here, the examination area "technical documents" is tested. Towards the end of the training program, the Part 2 final examination is held, which counts for 70% of the overall result. It is divided into a written and a practical part. The written tasks are on the subject of product development and business and social studies. The practical part comprises a task followed by a technical discussion.

Why did you choose RAUMEDIC as your training company?

RAUMEDIC manufactures products for the medical industry. This makes RAUMEDIC a future-oriented and crisis-proof employer. That was very important to me when I was choosing my training company, and that's why I chose RAUMEDIC.

What do you find special about the training at RAUMEDIC and what do you enjoy most?

I think the mentoring program is particularly good. You are assigned a colleague as your "mentor", who you can contact at any time with questions about the training. I'm also allowed to do things myself and try out various tasks. That makes my work a lot of fun.

What do you think you need for this job?

In my opinion, you definitely need to have basic PC skills, since you work with design programs almost all day. Physics is also very important in order to select the right material for a product, among other things. But the most important thing is spatial awareness, since we only work in three dimensions.

What did you like about your application process?

I liked the fact that there was no classic recruitment test. I had the opportunity to do a trial work day. This is a good way of finding out whether you fit in with the job and the company. For example, I was given the task of reconstructing a syringe. On my trial day, I got a great insight into the team and got to know my future colleagues directly.

How did you become interested in this profession?

First and foremost through my brother. He is already a technical product designer and worked a lot from home during the pandemic. This gave me a small insight into the day-to-day work and the tasks involved. This aroused my interest and I realized that I would also enjoy this profession.

Thank you for taking the time, Luis! We wish you continued success with your training and also with soccer at JFG Oberes Rodachtal.