Apprenticeship at Teknos supports building careers paths: “The variety of tasks and the customer contact has been great”

Teknos offers young people in the beginning of their careers opportunities to learn a profession by working. The apprenticeship is a great way to try out different positions in different departments. During the apprenticeship, the apprentices gain experience and take more responsibility on independent work tasks. Successful apprenticeship may lead to permanent employment at Teknos.

Orhan Ünsal and Tanja Koren from the administration department, and Saira Rheiner and Gianna Spinas from R&D department, share their apprenticeship experience at Teknos AG in Liechtenstein.

Orhan Ünsal, 16 years

1. year of the apprenticeship, Administration (currently accounting)

Why did you choose Teknos as your training company and what are your expectations?

I think that Teknos is creative and has different solutions. The company cares a lot about the environment and focuses on sustainability. There is a good atmosphere in the family company. Overall, my expectation is to learn a lot and increase my knowledge. For the department, I hope they are always there for me. It is also great that the employees are rewarded with different cool leisure activities.

Can you describe a typical working day?

From Monday to Wednesday I am working at Teknos and on Thursday and Friday I have school. I usually start at 8 am and finish at 4 pm. My day starts with checking my emails, calendar, and Teams. During the day I receive and sort out post. I also post the invoices in the system Trend CLI Client and solve Excel tasks.

What do you like most about this job?

This job gives a good base for the future. It is an opportunity to gain exposure to technology and computers. I also enjoy customer contact. In addition, our office is very nice place to work – you don’t have heat or cold problems and you can always have a coffee!

What strengths should you have for this job?

I think organization skills, reliability, ambition, and good comprehension are important. Also, ability to work independently and enjoy computer work – positivity and good foreign language skills are also a very big advantage.

Who will support you during your training?

My family and friends and my apprenticeship supervisor from Teknos have all been very supportive. All the department line managers from the various administration departments. I support myself with my strong attitude also.

Tanja Koren, 28 years

3. year of the apprenticeship, Administration (currently customer service)

Why did you choose Teknos as a training company and were your expectations for this apprenticeship met?

Teknos produces paints and I think this sector is very exciting. At Teknos, there is the possibility to get to know different department and there is also the great possibility to stay in the company after the apprenticeship. The training has met my expectations. In the last 3 years I had the opportunity to work in different departments to find out what I like and what suits me best.

What professional and personal goals have you set for yourself?

After my apprenticeship I would much like to gain professional experience and a further education, but I do not know which one yet. My goal is to improve my foreign language skills also. Currently, I’m happy to be able to start as a Customer Service Executive in the company in the summer of 2022.

Can you describe a typical working day?

In the customer service office, we operate the phone center and take orders and inquiries from customers. After taking them, we process the orders and enter them into our system. The orders must be entered into the system by 3:30 pm. In addition, the customer service office is responsible for outgoing post. There are many different tasks in the customer service department, which I like very much!

What do you like most about this job?

The variety of tasks and the customer contact has been great. I also appreciate the fact that I can learn foreign languages and use them in my work.

What strengths should you have for this job?

Good communication and teamwork skills are very important. As well as openness, helpfulness, and willingness to learn new things. In addition, interest in working with computers and pleasure in foreign languages are a big plus.

Saira Rheiner, 16 years

1. year of the apprenticeship, Research & Development

Why did you choose Teknos as your training company and what are your expectations?

I find paints and coatings very interesting and since Teknos works with that and offers this apprenticeship, I chose Teknos and I am very happy about it. Furthermore, Teknos has a good image and a pleasant working atmosphere. The employees are very friendly, and I can expect good support during my apprenticeship.

Can you describe a typical working day?

On my typical working day, I mix paints. First, I get a recipe for a paint. On the recipe it says how to make the paint – for example "let it disperse for 15 minutes" or "stir it up in another can". Then I look for all the raw materials I need and do the mixing.

What made you decide to learn this profession and what do you like most about this job?

I like to paint, and I am interested in chemistry. The job of laboratory assistant for paints and coatings combines these two interests. The profession is also very varied, and you look at different topics and areas of the laboratory. I came across the profession of chemical laboratory assistant at a career fair and found it very interesting. Then I saw that Teknos still had a vacancy for paint lab technicians. I went by Teknos and was invited to learn more about the profession – I liked it very much right away!

What strengths should you have for this job?

First the interest in chemistry and mathematics. In addition, creativity, curiosity and perseverance and patience. Knowledge of English is important.

Who will support you during your training?

I am supported by the people in the research and development department. For example, when I have a test or homework, they help me a lot.

Gianna Spinas, 24 years

3. year of the apprenticeship, Research & Development (since summer 2021 employee in Colometry)

What do you like most about this job?

It is all of it! The colours are so fascinating, they protect the surfaces, but more importantly, they make the world more colourful! In the R&D department you are part of developing and optimising colours to make the sometimes-grey world shine. Sometimes the work can be frustrating because of the countless attempts to reach the wanted end result but when that point finally comes and the result is good – you know that the work was worth it. Besides, it is a versatile profession because no day is like the other.

What strengths should you have for this job?

In practice, it is certainly important to be able to work carefully and accurately. I also think it is important to have respect rather than fear for the chemicals used. Perseverance is also very important if an experiment does not work out as it should. For the school part, maths skills and interest in science are great advantage.

Did your expectations for the training come true?

It has been a wonderful, fun time – even if it wasn't always easy. The most important thing for me was to learn a lot of new things, gain professional and life experience as well as receiving my certificate after only two years instead of the regular three years. I learned a lot and was able to develop myself further. I also got to know great people who will continue to accompany me.

Who supported you during your apprenticeship?

Many people in lots of different ways: my parents supported me financially during the two years, my colleague was sometimes able to help with school-related questions, my training supervisor supported me well and motivated me to study. My women's sport team and my friends were always super supportive too. Unfortunately, I must mention that there were also people who did exactly the opposite instead of supporting me and sometimes I questioned everything but fortunately giving up was not an option for me!

What professional and personal goals have you set for yourself?

I’m a person who doesn't like to set long-term goals. At the moment, I am happy to continue at Teknos and help the staff in Colometry. I have learnt 2 professions and I like them both, therefore I don't know which one I want to do later. I really appreciate about being a worker again and I will enjoy my work in Colometry and then I will see what the life has in store for me.