CPD as a technical manager
Two years of hard work have paid off for Martin Albert: the deputy production manager at Kräuter Mix has successfully completed his specialist professional training as a technical manager. But that’s not all! As one of the top graduates from the 2023 program in the Würzburg-Schweinfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) region, the 33-year-old also received the state government’s ‘master’ award and the Bavarian ‘master’ bonus of 3,000 euros.
Albert was presented his certificate by Minister for Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger at a graduation ceremony at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Schweinfurt, where the top 20 percent of the professional training program received their awards. Plant Manager André Metz and Production Manager Axel vom Berg were delighted to congratulate Albert on behalf of Kräuter Mix – and with his outstanding examination results!
Two years of on-the-job training
Martin Albert studied on the IHK training course in Würzburg between September 2021 and July 2023, attending classes in the evenings after work, at weekends and in a several-week-long block course. Of the initial eleven course participants, just four went on to receive their final certificate after passing both written and oral examinations – further proof of the challenge provided by the extensive course content which covered technical, business and practical topics.
“Motivation and perseverance, regular class attendance and non-stop studying over the two-year period all play a vital role in successfully completing the course,” explained Martin Albert, discussing the part-time training course, which is aimed at company employees who work at the interface between commercial and technical fields.
With Kräuter Mix from his apprentice days
As Deputy Production Manager and Head of Process Planning, today Martin Albert, alongside two other colleagues, is responsible for production planning for eight production facilities, and has been since 2019. These lines see air-dried herbs, spices and tea ingredients mixed and optically sorted. The 33-year-old also advises Purchasing and Sales on production issues and is available to answer questions from customers and officials during audit visits to the production halls.
But Albert learned what there is to know about the production of plant-based raw materials from scratch at Kräuter Mix, starting his three-year training as a food technology specialist back in 2010 and getting to know the company’s various production facilities as a machine operator working shifts. After completing his training, he moved permanently into process planning.
Next steps: more study!
But one professional technical manager qualification isn’t enough for Martin Albert! Immediately after finishing the course, Albert signed up for the next level – a further two-year training course which he hopes to complete in 2025. “My motivation is my own personal development and my development within the company,” explained Martin Albert.
