Trainees of WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 and agency itself carry off awards

In Manching, Bavaria, trainees of the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Aircraft and Aeronautical Equipment (Wehrtechnische Dienststelle – WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61) are regularly honoured as the best-in-class, the best in the federal state or even the best in the country. Now, three female and four male graduates of WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 have been awarded state prize certificates.

State prizes are awarded every year by the Upper Bavarian Government on behalf of the Bavarian State Government for a school performance with an average grade of 1.5 (roughly equivalent to A-) or better.

The training team of WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 is very pleased that almost as many women as men were honoured during the last award ceremony – especially because this is still an exception.

Excellent apprenticeship employer

So far, the agency itself has received a certificate of recognition from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (Industrie- und Handelskammer – IHKIndustrie- und Handelskammer) in recognition of special services every year. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce awards these certificates to apprenticeship employers, thus confirming the high quality of their training.

Honouring the best in the training workshops

Each year, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 has more than 100 trainees who are at different stages of their training in the civilian occupations of aircraft mechanics and electronics for equipment and systems.

All apprenticeships in the training workshops naturally start with the "basics". This provides a solid basis for all trainees, who will undergo more specific training from the third year of their apprenticeship. The trainees can then actively assist in real flight operations.

The "teaching dock" of WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 is one of a kind in the Bundeswehr. Equipped with a broad variety of aircraft types – ranging from the Tornado and the F-4F Phantom combat aircraft to the Bo 105 helicopter and a decommissioned aircraft from the Special Air Mission Wing of the Bundeswehr – it has everything to provide future aircraft mechanics with as comprehensive a training as possible. State-of-the-art technology is also used in the training of electronics technicians. WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 always keeps the finger on the pulse of time.

Throughout the entire apprenticeship, the trainees are supported by a motivated training team to guide them through the three and a half years of training.

But that is not all: In order to promote vocational training at a different level, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 supports what is called the "Trainee Academy".

The "Trainee Academy" – broadening horizons

For several years now, the "Trainee Academy" has been held to promote the economy in the district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm. This concept is intended to provide the trainees with a wide range of values and content in order to better prepare them for the working environment.

Every small and medium-sized apprenticeship employer in the district can offer its trainees the opportunity to participate in the programme. WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61, which is based in this district, participates as an educational partner. The WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle trainees thus have the opportunity to get an insight into other companies and the working methods there, while in return, trainees from other companies get a first-hand experience of WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 and everyday work in the Bundeswehr. This allows the trainees to broaden their horizons. At the same time, this provides a platform through which all participants can get in contact with each other.

Incentive for future trainee generations

The honoured graduates have once again provided proof of the high quality of the overall training concept at WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 61. They were even able to complete their training ahead of time. They have thus left big shoes for the trainees of the new training year to fill. Given the opportunities available, however, the latter will have the best chance of being eligible for an award – provided that they show some initiative.

by WTD 61