Jebsen Industrial’s Technical Service Apprentice Programme prepares graduates for a future in machinery maintenance
While machinery maintenance is essential to the growth of China’s automotive manufacturing industry, Jebsen Industrial has observed a shortage of skilled technicians. In September 2013, it embarked on a new talent development initiative to nurture skilled young technicians in a bid to ensure that its automotive clients in Dalian, as well as the industry at large, are well supported.
The Technical Services Apprentice Programme (TSAP) by Jebsen Industrial’s Technical Services Division is designed to provide on-the-job training to fresh graduates with a sound academic background in machinery science so as to deepen the talent pool for the country’s technical services industry.
Mr Lex Liu, Maintenance Manager at the Engineering Services Department, Technical Services Division, heads a service team of 11 people in Dalian – of which, two are newly recruited TSAP apprentices. „Nowadays, fresh graduates often find it difficult to get up to speed with working life. Because they have few chances to learn about the real business world, they can get lost when they finally set foot in society,“ said Mr Liu.
This is a particularly true in the field of technical services, where hands-on experience can be more valuable than classroom education – and just another reason for bringing TSAP to life.
To take the programme forward, Jebsen Industrial has partnered with two local universities in Dalian to identify qualified final-year students. These candidates are interviewed by Jebsen Industrial and those who make the cut are recruited as apprentices. They will learn and practice under the guidance of experienced technicians and upon the completion and evaluation of their apprenticeship, they may be offered an employment contract with Jebsen Industrial.
Mr Liu Dong and Mr Zhang Guo Chao are among the apprentices who succeeded in securing a job. They joined Jebsen Industrial in February this year.
Recalling his first week in the factory, Mr Zhang said: „I was really at a loss. Everything was new to me and I didn’t know where to start.“
But this was to be expected. Mr Liu assigned each apprentice a master – veteran technicians with over 10 years of experience – so that the young ones could learn directly from them. The apprentices were also trained in the English language and computer operations. The masters also set up short-term targets for them and held regular progress reviews to coach them further. Efforts have paid off in just a few months as the apprentices are now well adapted to their work and are contributing to the team.
According to Mr Addison Tao, HR Manager of Jebsen Industrial, TSAP will continue to run and there are plans to extend its reach to other parts of China. The programme is also part of Jebsen Industrial’s CSR commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent to benefit the industry and the country.
About Jebsen Industrial
Marketing, distributing, and supporting advanced products and technologies in Greater China, Jebsen Industrial has been at the forefront of industrial development in the region for more than 100 years. It offers international companies unparalleled local market access and provides local customers with sophisticated sales and technical services as well as tailor-made supply chain solutions. With a product portfolio that ranges from large-scale systems and equipment to chemicals and components, Jebsen Industrial focusses on China’s high-growth business sectors including the automotive, environmental, filmmaking, food and beverage, petrochemicals, plastics, printing, and textiles industries, among others. For more information, please visit our website (www.jebsenindustrial.com), or follow us on Sina Weibo (weibo.com/jebsenindustrial) or WeChat (Jebsen_Industrial).
Jebsen Industrial is the subsidiary of Jebsen Group founded in 1895, a focussed marketing and distribution organisation representing international partners for a wide array of premium industrial, consumer, beverage, and luxury products, with a unique and long-established presence in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.