Christian Bohner takes a critical look at the component that a trainee has just made. Then he measures it. "That looks pretty good. What else could you do to improve your work?" Bohner asks the young man. The two talk shop for a few minutes, then Bohner sends him back to the mill. "He'll soon get that sorted," he says with a smile. And he knows what he is talking about: The 56-year-old electromechanical technician manages the training centre (BZ). For 34 years, he has been working with young trainees and, in addition to his management role at the BZ, also works as a vocational college teacher in Olten. Christian Bohner heads a team of four vocational trainers at the BZ.

The Thal-Mittelland Vocational Training Association, to which the BZ is attached, trains young people in a total of 13 professional groups, including logistics experts, painters, clerks and system operators as well as various professions in the MEM sector and automation specialists.

The association was originally set up to counteract the shortage of skilled workers and to support micro-enterprises in training their apprentices. Both of these goals are more important than ever today, because the need for young talent is high, particularly in the MEM sector. The training centre in Zuchwil therefore not only works with the BLV; it also provides basic training for trainees with additional regional partner companies. Their acquisition is also part of the duties carried out by Christian Bohner.

A stable network

Christian Bohner sees one of his most important tasks for the future as finding additional companies that can and want to train young people together with the BZ, thereby strengthening the industry in Switzerland. In order to cooperate with the BZ, a company does not necessarily have to be located in the region around Solothurn; for example, they may also be based in Aargau. "We are relatively flexible and pragmatic," says the BZ Manager. This flexibility is also reflected in the day-to-day operation of the training centre. Because the BZ has moved with the times, opportunities for digitalisation are being utilised, and the use of laptops has become standard, along with work performed using personal mobile devices ("bring your own device").

Speaking of the future: How does Christian Bohner assess the situation of skilled workers now and in the future? "It is certainly not getting any easier to meet demand with suitable talent," he explains. At the BZ, Bohner and his team therefore attach great importance to ensuring that young professionals can sharpen their personal skills and accept responsibility, in addition to boosting their professional expertise. "You have to be very patient when dealing with young people," the expert stresses. They are no longer as focused on career planning as in the past, and instead want to try more things and find a career that they really enjoy. That makes it even more important to rouse the interest of young professionals. "If you manage that, you will create something wonderful."