3
years duration, extendable to 4 years (special module for process and project management)
70%
of the apprenticeship duration is spent at the Learning and Development Hub in Iowa City.
290+
apprentices worldwide
What is an apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship is a paid educational program that combines hands-on work and classroom training. Apprentices spend 70% of their time working with ALPLA and 30% learning at Kirkwood College and at our Learning and Development Center. The idea is that Alpla teaches practical skills and Kirkwood College teaches theoretical skills.
The apprenticeship takes three years to complete and is divided into basic and main modules where each apprentice will graduate with an Associate Degree and German Certification. Apprentices start their training in a training workshop supported by full-time trainers and after completing the basic module they start training on the job in production, while being supported by trainers.
ALPLA has decades of experience in apprenticeship training, has access to an international network of trainers and is currently training 300 apprentices worldwide.
ALPLA works with ICATT and Kirkwood Community College, which guarantees a high quality of training, the implementation of the intermediate examination and the final examination with the certification and Associate Degree.
The L&D Hub is a training center created exclusively for the training of apprentices and further education of ALPLA employees in North America. In a safe training environment with the latest equipment and machines, we guarantee the highest standard of training.
What is Mechatronics at ALPLA?
Mechatronics means the combination of electrotechnical, pneumatic/hydraulic and mechanical parts.
Mechatronics technicians are all-rounders and ensure that everything runs smoothly in our production plant. They are responsible for a variety of industrial systems and machines, setting the functions, programming and operating them. They look for malfunctions and are experts in troubleshooting.
Mechatronics technicians usually work in workshops and production halls as part of a team with colleagues and other specialists from electrical engineering, plastics technology and mechanical engineering.
A day in the life of an ALPLA apprentice
Your day as an ALPLA apprentice starts at 8 AM. When you arrive at work, you meet your fellow apprentices, greet your trainers, and change into your working clothes. On special occasions, there is even a free breakfast to enjoy! After getting settled, there is time to review yesterday’s learnings from your college lectures with your trainer. Your trainer also uses this time to help you understand how to apply your learnings. You practice and improve your skills with the help of special training equipment and documentation!
At noon, you have lunch with your fellow colleagues and apprentices. After lunch, there is a workshop about communication and team spirit, where you always improve your soft skills. To manifest the knowledge gained, you have access to a huge library of eLearnings. Just before heading home, you tidy up and make sure your tools are put back in the right place. At the end of the day, after finishing your documentation, you go home with more knowledge and skills than you had before!
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Benefits of being an ALPLA apprentice
Family Planning Benefits
Medical & Wellness Benefits
Tutoring
Progressive Compensation
Versatile Career Paths
401K
Incentives
Shadow days at ALPLA
If you love what you see but are unsure of what it's like to work at ALPLA, then a shadow visit is the perfect opportunity for you to find out. Tours of our IOWA facilities occur every month. Prospective apprentices, educators, and counselors can schedule a visit to see firsthand how we make bottles by viewing both our EBM and ISBM plants.
Please reach out to Julie Underwood, HR Manager, to schedule a visit.
