Astonished by precision and manual skill

Last week 20 students from the "Technology" department came on site to learn about the design and production of special tools and circuit board tools at MPK Kemmer GmbH & Co. KG Special Tools and at MPK Kemmer GmbH PCB Tools. Following a presentation about the Kemmer Technology AG group of companies, the students took the opportunity to take a guided tour through the production facilities at both Großdeinbach and Kleindeinbach. They were surprised by the high level of precision and of manual craft work, in spite of the highly technological manufacturing process.

"In the Technology department we had heard about the tool production at Kemmer Technology AG, so the idea of a field trip was born" explains Tobias Naser, who had organized the College of Education end of the visit. "In years 9 and 10, CNC production is thoroughly treated by the courses in the Information Technology department. The afternoon spent in the two factories added valuable background knowledge to this." For many of the students, who were in their first to eighth semesters, the field trip was their first contact with the practical side of an industrial company.

The students were also impressed by the breadth of education of both trainees and employees. "Students from high schools through to grammar schools, leavers from any kind of school can find opportunities at Kemmer Technology AG" according to Naser. This was confirmed again by Martin Kemmer, Chairman of the Kemmer Technology AG board. "In contrast to the general trend, over recent years we have continued to take on apprentices, and also to accept them into the company when they are appropriate to qualify." The problem, rather, is that of finding suitable training applicants. "Many of the applicants just do not have the school qualifications that we need here" complains Kemmer. A knowledge of mathematics is a vital requirement for anybody interested in a training place at either Großdeinbach or Kleindeinbach.

The fact that students doing technological studies at the College of Education in Schwäbisch Gmünd are interested in learning about industry and commerce outside their textbooks, and are making visits to the business world, strikes Kemmer as an important element in the training of future educators. "Somebody who looks beyond the surface for deeper levels of knowledge, can transmit an enthusiasm for complex topics and relationships to pupils."