Heidenheim. Twenty-nine young women and men are starting their dual studies program today at Voith in Heidenheim. Alternating between the company and the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW), 22 students will study the theory and practice of their respective subject areas over a three-year period. Ulm University is the partner for the seven students in the Ulm Model. They will earn two degrees in 4.5 years – a Bachelor of Engineering and a Skilled Worker’s Certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

This year, the subject areas mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, business administration in industry and international business administration are all represented at Voith. Due to the growing significance of information systems for Industry 4.0, an increasing number of students are choosing study programs in the IT field. Seven students will be trained at Voith in the areas of information systems automation, information management and systems, as well as business information systems.

“By switching between theory and practice phases, students can acquire sound specialized knowledge and apply it directly in Voith departments while still in their study programs,” says Elvira Frey-Keddi, Director of Higher Education Programs at Voith.

As part of their study program at Voith, interested students have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad. Locations include England, China and the U.S., for example. This provides young professionals with a chance to expand their language skills and to gain international and intercultural experience. “We are an internationally established company with locations in more than 50 countries worldwide. Cooperating with colleagues in other countries as well as with clients and suppliers from abroad is part of the work we do every day,” explains Frey-Keddi.

In training the DHBW students, Voith draws on many years of experience. Voith has been working together with cooperative universities for nearly 40 years and trains employees qualified in the practical application of knowledge and skills. Currently, a total of 87 dual studies students are employed at Voith in Heidenheim.

Voith sets standards in the markets for energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials, and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith now has over 43,000 employees, 5.7 billion euros in sales, and locations in more than 50 countries around the world, making it one of the largest family businesses in Europe.