High-quality vocational training is a cornerstone of our success and therefore has a special status in our company. We want to lay the foundations for self-confident, independent and responsible future employees by involving our trainees in a spirit of trust from the outset. This is why we specifically involve committed young people in projects that are required for day-to-day business.
Perspectives fair 2023 of the comprehensive school in Isernhagen
Just before the autumn holidays, the Integrated Comprehensive School was once again a hive of activity: on Wednesday afternoon, all Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils were invited to find out about regional and national companies and the professions they offer at the prospects fair. While year 10 students are already considering which apprenticeship to continue after this school year, many year 8 and 9 students are first looking for the right place for a work placement. With over 50 companies presenting themselves together with Kruse & Kamien Schaltanlagen GmbH in the market hall and canteen this year, there was a lot to learn and certainly one or two ideas to take away for your own career orientation.
Tablets instead of thick folders: trainees digitise circuit diagrams
Die Kruse & Kamien Schaltanlagenbau GmbH ist spezialisiert auf die Planung, Softwareerstellung, Fertigung, Installation, Inbetriebnahme, Wartung und Service von industriellen Steuer- und Regelanlagen. Anwendungsschwerpunkte sind die Gebäudeleittechnik (Heizung, Klima, Lüftung), Maschinen- und Anlagensteuerungen aus den unterschiedlichsten Branchen. Hierbei produziert die Firma Schaltanlagen in den unterschiedlichsten Größenordnungen; von kleinen 60 cm bis hin zu 13 m ist alles dabei.
Ähnlich umfangreich erschienen den Azubis auch die Schränke, in denen das Unternehmen seine Papierordner der Schaltpläne lagert. Hier sah das dreiköpfige Azubi-Team Verbesserungsbedarf und beschloss kurzum die Digitalisierung der Schaltpläne in Angriff zu nehmen.
The initial situation
In discussions between employees and trainees, this digitalisation project was the most frequently expressed wish: digital plans. Previously, the paper-based plans were stored in thick folders. In some cases, there were even up to three folders per control cabinet, which made consulting the paper folders cumbersome and time-consuming. This tedious work was only popular to a limited extent.
The digital solution and its advantages
As a result, the trainees quickly realised that tablets were the ideal solution to this problem, especially as the plans were already available in digital form. In future, employees will be able to access the circuit diagrams digitally at their respective workstations in the workshop. The digital form means that the cables and circuits can now be displayed in their entirety instead of having to be shown in segments over several A4 pages. This made wiring the control cabinets more organised, while at the same time drastically reducing paper consumption.
The reactions within the company
Thanks to the optimised workflow, the project was very well received by around 90% of employees. The response was so positive that numerous employees approached the trainees on their own initiative and actively asked when they too would receive a tablet. Employees also seemed to be interested in actively participating in the detailed design of the new digital process. Increasingly, employees shared their own ideas and thoughts on the processes with the tablets with the trainees in order to make the process as smooth as possible.
The management was similarly enthusiastic when the trainees presented their project idea. They gave the trainees extensive freedom of action so that they could plan and implement their project according to their ideas. The management also supported them with regard to financing.
The reactions within the company
Thanks to the optimised workflow, the project was very well received by around 90% of employees. The response was so positive that numerous employees approached the trainees on their own initiative and actively asked when they too would receive a tablet. Employees also seemed to be interested in actively participating in the detailed design of the new digital process. Increasingly, employees shared their own ideas and thoughts on the processes with the tablets with the trainees in order to make the process as smooth as possible.
The management was similarly enthusiastic when the trainees presented their project idea. They gave the trainees extensive freedom of action so that they could plan and implement their project according to their ideas. The management also supported them with regard to financing.
Time saving thanks to touch panel and scanner
Time saved thanks to touch panel and scanner. The trainees optimized the incoming goods process so that goods can now be accepted and sorted more quickly. Two system electronics technicians in their second and third year of training took part in the Digiscouts project at Kruse & Kamien Schaltanlagen GmbH. Korbinian Brunotte and Sven Wilhelms talk about their experiences in an interview.
RKW: How did you start the project?
Brunotte: When we were looking for ideas, we mainly scrutinized the material flow processes, as this is where we discovered the greatest potential. Unfortunately, the potential in the warehouse and in the provision of materials has so far remained untapped because the warehouse manager was reluctant to make changes for a long time. We also somewhat underestimated a project like this and had to put it on the back burner from time to time due to day-to-day business. That’s why teamwork was so important and that we stuck to the schedule.
RKW: What did you gain from the project?
Brunotte: The project has helped us to strengthen our relationship with our foreman and the managing director. We now deal with each other in a completely different way. They also always had our backs when other employees didn’t agree with our approach or complained. This shows us that we are valued and that our project is supported. We were even allowed to make a video about our project, which will also be published on the homepage.
RKW: How did you work before the project?
Wilhelms: In the old procedure, the goods were delivered, unpacked, counted and checked and then compared with the delivery bill and ticked off by hand. The unpacked items were then taken to the warehouse manager on a trolley and manually entered into the system via the computer as stock. Two goods receipt documents were then printed and the goods were either brought into the warehouse by the warehouse staff or sorted into the transfer rack on the shelves. The time required for the bookings was two to three hours a day.
RKW: And how do you work today?
Wilhelms: The new procedure brings much more clarity. The warehouse clerk enters the order number from the delivery bill on the touch panel. The goods are then unpacked and scanned. The delivery quantity is also entered at the terminal. The goods receipt document is then printed with information on the storage location and whether the system has already been assembled or is already being processed. The warehouse clerk then sorts the goods.
RKW: How did you overcome your challenges?
Brunotte: We first had to draw up a precise schedule and distribute our tasks so that we knew exactly which tasks had to be completed next. We then stuck to this as best we could. The biggest challenge we had was with our external service provider, because he was often unavailable and we were not given a date for the completion of our program. That naturally slowed us down. And we also had different school days or had to go out into the field, so communication between us was also difficult. Thanks to our precise planning, we were able to redistribute tasks so that they were completed on time. We will even tackle other projects.