Julian Gelo, an apprentice cutting machine operator at SCHUNK, spent half a year preparing intensively for the upcoming competition. The tasks set for the six finalists at WorldSkills Germany were demanding and varied. In addition to top-class technical skills, the talented youngsters were expected to deliver top performance under time pressure, in unfamiliar surroundings, and all while being watched attentively by the trade show visitors. On each of the three competition days at this year's EMO, the world's leading trade show for production technology , they had to produce different workpieces. The task was to manufacture a single part on the first day, create an assembly on the second day and produce a small series on the third day.
Julian Gelo's impressive performance in CNC turning not only successfully represented SCHUNK, but also did great credit to his apprenticeship profession. In addition to the entire SCHUNK team, his instructor Felix Seidel is especially proud of this: "I'd like to express my sincere respect for all those who competed here at the EMO in this challenging discipline. Julian Gelo did a great job, for himself and as an ambassador for SCHUNK. This shows once again how exciting and versatile training as a cutting machine operator can be." The competition around this training is the best illustration of how the profession has changed. Today, cutting machine operators operate state-of-the-art computer-controlled machines, and are responsible for monitoring and optimizing complex, increasingly automated processes. In the process, they continuously learn new manufacturing processes. This makes the profession an attractive career option for young, talented people with an interest in technology.
This is why an apprenticeship at SCHUNK places special emphasis on the practical transfer of specialist knowledge. In the modern training center, SCHUNK's junior staff learn not only the basics of craftsmanship but also how to handle modern machine and plant technology in automated, robot-supported processes. And in terms of personal development too, they are also given every opportunity to prepare themselves optimally for the demands of the professional world. Julian Gelo expressed his enthusiasm about his apprenticeship at the technology leader for toolholding and workholding, gripping technology and automation technology: "SCHUNK supported me intensively throughout the entire preparation period. As a result, I was not only able to show off what I had learned professionally in Hanover, but I also to achieve the personal goal I had set myself. I'm excited about the opportunity to be part of the national team." One of the three medal winners in the competition will now have the chance to represent Germany at the upcoming WorldSkills in Lyons in 2024.
WorldSkills, often referred to as the "World Championship of the Trades", is a renowned international competition platform where young professionals from all over the world demonstrate their skills in various craft disciplines. In the process, they are spurred on to top performance in regional and national competitions, while they can also exchange ideas with one another and learn from the best while having fun on the job. Those who prove themselves at the national level have the chance to participate in European or World Championship. Germany is currently represented in over 40 disciplines at EuroSkills and WorldSkills. The German Championship in the discipline "CNC Turning" was held from September 18 to 23, September 2023, at the EMO in Hanover.
