Vocational education and training at Westeifel Werke

The Westeifel Werke workshops of the Lebenshilfe Bitburg, Daun and Prüm (support association for people with disabilities) and their associate institutions are major providers of vocational education and training in the Eifel region. They currently provide within their entire group training for a total of 35 apprentices in seven recognised vocational education and training occupations.

A new chapter now has begun also in the life of an additional eleven young people with disabilities. In mid-September, the management of the Westeifel Werke welcomed the new vocational education and training students at the various sites of the workshop for people with disabilities.

Subsequent to their successful school graduation or fresh out of medical rehabilitation, the participants spend the first three months with occupational orientation activities. They get to know the Westeifel Werke and, together with their education supervisors, determine the targets for the first training year.

In addition to trainings regarding general knowledge and cultural techniques, they get to know all areas of work at the sites in Gerolstein, Weinsheim, Hermesdorf and Neuerburg. Also internships at partnering businesses of the Westeifel Werke are a possibility, depending on interest and capability.

The diverse key areas of vocational education and training are, for example, metal and wood for outdoors equipment at the Weinsheim workshop as well as domestic and gastronomic management at the Euvea Hotel in Neuerburg and the kitchens at all sites. Hermesdorf offers a wide range of tasks in the fields of printing and packaging. The majority of activities at Gerolstein are installation and commissioned work for industrial partners.

After a total of 27 months of vocational education and training, the participants transfer to the production departments of the Westeifel Werke with some participants finding employment in other businesses.