people
From maintenance engineer to trainer
Germany’s leading engine manufacturer offers a wide variety of apprenticeship opportunities. Part 1 of our series: Aircraft maintenance engineer Markus Senger.
11.2018 | author: Thorsten Rienth | 2 mins reading time
author:
Thorsten Rienth
writes as a freelance journalist for AEROREPORT. In addition to the aerospace industry, his technical writing focuses on rail traffic and the transportation industry.
Career at MTU – Find more information here
Twenty-four-year-old Markus Senger has spent one-third of his life at MTU Aero Engines. “I started my apprenticeship as an aircraft maintenance engineer here when I was 16,” he says. “Even then, I was already completely fascinated by aviation.” Senger didn’t want to work in administration, though; he wanted to be in technology, and as hands-on as possible.
To pursue his interest, Senger moved from northern Bavaria to northwest Munich. There he started a three-year apprenticeship at MTU, a period that was to prove as enjoyable as it was educational: a great working environment in MTU’s in-house training shop, with trainers who challenged him as much as they encouraged him. “It was an accepting and supporting environment, and we learned an unbelievable amount.” One very important principle has always held true for him: “If you’re really dedicated to what you do, you’re sure to go far.”
Career opportunityMTU in Munich guarantees all apprentices a job as long as they achieve a certain grade point average or higher.
Career opportunityMTU in Munich guarantees all apprentices a job as long as they achieve a certain grade point average or higher.
TrainerToday, Markus Senger is responsible for training aircraft maintenance engineers.
TrainerToday, Markus Senger is responsible for training aircraft maintenance engineers.
Senger himself is living proof that this is more than just a saying. An apprenticeship as an aircraft maintenance engineer normally lasts three and a half years, but MTU cuts that down to three for top performers. That’s what happened in Senger’s case. Being hired after finishing an apprenticeship is merely a formality: MTU in Munich guarantees all apprentices a job as long as they achieve a certain grade point average or higher.
Senger was assigned to the assembly line for development engines. “That’s where they built the test modules for the A320neo engine, among other things,” he says. The PW1100G program Senger is referring to is the most important one for MTU today, and overall one of the world’s most advanced engines.
Apprenticing at MTU: Aircraft maintenance engineer Markus Senger.
Promising opportunities for apprentices: After 3 years, Markus Senger was given a permanent position and works today as a trainer himself. To the video
In the evenings and on weekends, Senger took online courses in mechanical engineering. “Besides the practical aspects of our business, I wanted to understand the theory behind it, too.” MTU of course supported him in this wherever possible, whether that’s with flexible working hours, helping to cover costs or providing access to training. Senger thinks it’s clear why MTU provides this support: “When employees acquire and develop new skills, then of course the company benefits as well.”
Just as Senger received his certificate for completing his online course, a position as a trainer for aircraft maintenance engineers opened up at MTU. “I think working with young people is a lot of fun,” he says. At that point, however, the age difference was quite small: Senger was just 21 years old.
