Rolls-Royce opens new Vocational Training Center in Friedrichshafen

  • One million euros invested in MTU Apprentice Training
  • Focus on the Smart Factory revolution

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, GERMANY

Rolls-Royce has opened a new Vocational Training Center in Friedrichshafen. The center, which encompasses an area of 2,800 sqm, will be used with immediate effect to equip the company's apprentices with leading-edge capabilities across all 18 training areas. A total of one million euros has been invested in converting the facilities and purchasing modern equipment such as an industrial 3D printer and an automation system, enabling trainees to work with new technologies.

“We have invested extensively in our Vocational Training Center in Friedrichshafen, converting it, expanding it and making it fit for tomorrow's training needs,” explained Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, adding: “Sustainable training is also an essential ingredient in implementing our PS 2030 corporate strategy, as we make the transition from a conventional engine supplier to a provider of integrated solutions. We will continue our in-house training of the skilled specialists we need for the future.”

“One special highlight in the training center is the new 3D printer. In addition to apprentices and sandwich degree students in various disciplines, the facility is also used by both Production and Development, making it a place where information and insights are shared across the company,” said Martin Stocker, head of MTU Apprentice Training at Rolls-Royce. “Major investment was also being made in electronics training, with a new automation system and a collaborative robot making it easier for trainees to understand and improve digital production processes. This will prepare them for the challenges of digitalization in manufacturing industry, which is known as the Smart Factory revolution,” Stocker continued.

100 years of vocational training

The opening of the new training center marks the end of a year of events celebrating the centenary of MTU Apprentice Training. The predecessor company Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH was the first business in the Lake Constance & Upper Swabia area to set up a permanent training workshop with its own factory school in 1919. Since then, some 8,000 young people have begun their careers with MTU apprenticeships.

In all, Rolls-Royce's Power Systems division trains people in a total of 13 industrial and commercial disciplines, and five sandwich degree courses. In addition to the particularly popular apprenticeships in industrial mechanics and mechatronics, this year saw the first apprentices and students commencing their training in computer science. Power Systems is helping young people start their careers not just in Friedrichshafen, but also at five other locations in Germany, Norway and the United States.

Press photos are available for download from www.rrpowersystems.com/press

Read more about Rolls-Royce power generation based on medium-speed engines at www.rolls-royce.com/bergen

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

  1. Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions to meet our planet’s vital power needs.
  2. Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs around 11,000 people. The product portfolio includes MTU-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry as well as diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids. Medium-speed engines from Bergen power ships and power generation applications.
  3. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
  4. Annual underlying revenue was £15 billion in 2018, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services.
  5. In 2018, Rolls-Royce invested £1.4 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 29 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
  6. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.

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