What is everyday work like, what are the challenges – and what makes onoff stand out as a training company?
We spoke with Matthias Kulla and Nils Wojke. Both recently completed their training and, in this interview, share their experiences and their journey. They offer an open and practical insight into their time as apprentices with us and explain why they chose this particular path.
What stands out to you about working at onoff automation services gmbh?
Nils Wojke: From the very beginning, you’re closely involved in the projects. It doesn’t take long before you’re working on real control cabinets – and that’s just exciting.
Matthias Kulla: For me, it’s the hands-on experience. After a few basic exercises at the start, you dive straight into real operations. You’re truly integrated into the workflow – and the training-related content is continuously added in as well.
Are there any particular challenges in your job at the moment?
MK: Definitely. Sometimes you’re faced with tasks where you think, “How is that even supposed to work?” Especially when you have to work in tight or hard-to-reach places. But with a bit of practice and the right tricks, you figure it out.
NW: I find the variety of the work to be the biggest challenge – but also very motivating. Because we often work at different locations and with different clients, it never gets boring.
What convinced you back then to start your apprenticeship at onoff?
MK: I was really interested in the technology behind control cabinets – especially how you wire a system based on schematics and later put it into operation. I just wanted to learn how to do that.
NW: What appealed to me was that even during training, you get to work on real customer systems. So it’s not just theory, but hands-on practice from the start.
What, in your opinion, sets onoff apart from other training companies?
MK: The direct communication with trainers and supervisors is a big plus. You get help quickly – and on equal footing.
NW: For me, it’s also the strong focus on practical experience. You can tell that training is taken seriously here. And you’re never left alone with your questions.
What do you hear from other trainees during your apprenticeship?
NW: There’s a lot of exchange – and you get tips on how to complete certain tasks more quickly or efficiently.
Have you had contact with other departments within SpiraTec?
MK: Yes, with hardware planning – which is part of SpiraTec. The collaboration went really well, because we could coordinate directly at the control cabinet or at the PC.
NW: For me, it was mainly hardware planning as well. The short communication paths make the collaboration easy and efficient.
What skills do you think are especially important for this apprenticeship?
MK: Math and physics are definitely important – especially because of all the formulas. And you should have good spatial awareness, since you can’t actually see electricity or voltage.
NW: I completely agree. Math, physics, and spatial thinking are absolutely essential.
What advice would you give to young people just starting out in their careers?
MK: Definitely do an apprenticeship! You learn a lot – not just in your field, but also in terms of practical skills. That’s useful in your private life, too. And with your own income, you can finance further education later on – like a degree. The possibilities stay open – master craftsman, university, advanced training.
Why would you recommend an apprenticeship at onoff?
MK: You get a lot of exposure – from electronic components to workshop and installation work, all the way to different types of control systems.
NW: Yes, the practical experience is top-notch. It’s not just school followed by theory at work – you actually get to work hands-on.
Is there anything else people should know about you?
MK: In vocational school, we earned a certificate in robot programming. The course covered most of the material – and onoff even covered the processing fee. That was a great opportunity.
NW: Robot programming is really exciting, and this certificate gave us great insights into a fascinating topic.
