Automotive Aftermarket is a partner in the "Camp der Champs 2021" trainee competition organized by the international trade cooperation ATR in Germany

Further training is important: young people in motor vehicles are fit for everyday workshop life

Conveying theory and practice

Trends such as e-mobility and digitization are changing the way workshops will work in the future. The rapidly developing vehicle technology and the associated increasing complexity of car parts and repairs require new knowledge, which future automotive mechatronics technicians have to learn during their training. For this reason, Schaeffler's Automotive Aftermarket is involved as a partner in this year's “Camp der Champs”. The free young talent promotion program of the international trade cooperation ATR is aimed at vehicle trainees in their second and third year of training who are employed in an independent multi-brand company.

Competition for trainee of the year

The camp is training and competition at the same time and complements the subject matter taught in the vocational school. Main topics such as engine control, power transmission in motor vehicles and the Euro 6 injection systems for gasoline and diesel engines are discussed theoretically and then implemented. This year the focus is on engine and drive. The prospective professionals not only learn the theoretical basics, but also practice in a practical way, which special features there are for example with camshaft adjusters, which factors influence chain wear and how the replacement of a timing chain works. In the drive area, the trainees get a deep insight into the structure and functionality of the double clutch technology and change a dry double clutch independently.

The advantage of the camp: The trainees can repair the engine and clutch model directly under supervision, exchange ideas and deepen current systems and techniques. The best apprentices in each case qualify for the final in Hamburg this summer.

22 training camps for twelve participants each are planned throughout Germany. A total of 264 trainees can apply. Due to the corona restrictions, the start was postponed to mid-March. All trainings take place in compliance with the current and regional Corona hygiene guidelines. The hygiene concept for all training courses includes, among other things, a minimum distance between participants of two meters, wearing medical mouth and nose protection and regular cleaning and disinfecting of the hands. In addition, everyone must do a rapid corona test, which the organizer provides on site.