Simon Pfeifer: Germany’s Best Paper Technologist Apprentice

Once again, the training provided by the Koehler Group has delivered the goods, with Simon Pfeifer being honored as the best paper technologist apprentice in Germany. An exceptional score of 97 marked the completion of his apprenticeship, which he started in 2022 at the company’s Oberkirch headquarters.

The fact that the Oppenau, Germany native was the best in his specialty is no mere coincidence. After all, the Koehler Group, which is engaged in the production of specialty paper and renewable energy, has con-sistently invested in training for years and made sure to always focus on quality and results that will contin-ue paying dividends in the future. A prime example can be seen in its new general technical training center and paper technology center at its German sites in Willstätt and Oberkirch, which provide apprentices with cutting-edge learning environments.

Top-level training

During their three-year apprenticeship, aspiring paper technologists become familiar with the processes involved in making specialty paper, the control processes for complex production facilities, and a variety of test methods used to check paper and production quality. “We see training as an intergenerational con-tract: The investments we make in knowledge and skills today will be the innovation and progress of tomor-row. Young talent deserves real opportunities – and we’re making sure to give them the best anyone has to offer,” says Koehler Group Head of HR Development and Training Simone Wölfle.

The investments the company has made in training in the past few years speak for themselves: Koehler Group apprentices have won the Best in Germany award multiple times already, with the most recent win-ners being Nico Kirn (2023) and Tobias Baßler (2021). Simon Pfeifer continued the tradition this year at the 20th Best in Germany Awards organized by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Berlin. The ceremony celebrated the best apprentices in Germany – around 200 total out of 250,000 exam takers this year. At the ECC Estrel Congress Center, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Peter Adri-an presented the winners with their certificates and trophies, while German Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth Karin Prien delivered the main speech for the event.