The construction site time in Chile was my personal highlight of the trainee program - the work on site is more exciting for me than any pure desk job.

Niklas

Niklas, Site Manager at ZÜBLIN Timber

Niklas completed the technical trainee program at ZÜBLIN Timber. This took him from the plant in Aichach to various corporate positions at Ed. ZÜBLIN AG and an outstanding tunnel construction project in Chile. However, none of the exciting stations could dissuade him from his passion for structural timber construction.

From trainee program to site manager - and the name says it all: timber construction.

Niklas

How did you come across ZÜBLIN Timber?

After leaving school, I decided to train as a journeyman carpenter. Immediately afterwards, I studied civil engineering at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and also dealt with timber construction in my final thesis. I had always been familiar with ZÜBLIN Timber and the trainee program advertised there was another good opportunity to find out where my journey would take me in the future. At this company, I can live out my passion for wood as a sustainable material in innovative large-scale projects.

How did your entry into the trainee program go?

The trainee program at ZÜBLIN Timber lasts around 15 months. Trainees pass through various departments and learn not only about timber construction from the ground up, but also about the complex corporate world of Ed. ZÜBLIN AG. My trainee period began with four weeks of practical work in production at the Aichach plant. I was able to brush up on my carpentry skills after my studies and work full-time right from the start. That was a motivating start for me.

I then went through other departments, such as work preparation and costing, before working on a timber construction project in Heilbronn for around nine weeks in site management. The construction site was also a highlight of the trainee program. Thanks to my training as a carpenter, I also have experience as a craftsman and know what it's like to stand on scaffolding in the cold of winter or the heat of summer. This also makes it easier to work with the employees.

Is networking within the Group important to you?

Yes, networking is important to me.
During the trainee program, I also had a few desk jobs waiting for me. At the Stuttgart location, I worked in various departments, e.g. Tendering and Contracting, Controlling or Contract Management. The stations are based on the future target position, and trainees' preferred departments are also taken into account depending on organizational and time constraints. For me, for example, SID (STRABAG Innovation and Digitalization) was such a desired department. Of course, you don't like it equally in every department, but I was able to take something away from every station. Be it professional input, a personal friendship, improving my English skills or understanding how a large company works. I have benefited in some way in my development from all the stations. You just have to not be shy and be able to approach people - then you can learn an incredible amount in these 15 months!

You're on the road a lot. Do you even have time for family and friends here?

A three-month stay abroad on a ZÜBLIN International tunnel project in Chile was on the agenda at the end of the trainee program. Not only the language challenge awaited me there, but also the professional leap from timber construction to tunnel construction.

Everyone likes it different: I wanted to get as far away as possible and get to know a new culture. A unique opportunity arose for me: there was a mega-exciting project in Chile and I still had a basic knowledge of Spanish from school - so off I went! ZÜBLIN is involved in a state copper extraction project in the South American country and is building tunnels in the world's largest copper deposit. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to know such a mega-project at a regional timber construction company. For me, ZÜBLIN Timber combines both: practical work with wood and the opportunities of a globally active company. Depending on the available projects and personal preferences, the foreign assignment can take me to neighboring countries or, as in my case, to the other side of the world.

In the trainee program, as well as now in the role of site manager, you are often on the road. But everything can be talked about and solutions are found.

Arrived! What are you doing now as a site manager at ZÜBLIN Timber?

After 15 months on the trainee program, I'm now firmly settled into my job as a site manager in the timber construction and façade division. After the many impressions and changes of location and department over the past few months, I'm delighted to be able to focus on one project for longer. I'm already in the middle of my first project: the Schule am Hang in Frankfurt. The existing school is being modernized and extended with a timber construction.

The decision to join the technical trainee program was definitely the right one for me. Based on my training and previous knowledge, I could have gone straight into construction management. But especially with a company as complex and globally active as ZÜBLIN, I think joining the trainee program is the better choice. You get to know the company, can build up a network and also see what development opportunities the Group offers. I got to know many fields of activity, but for me, building with wood always remains the first choice.

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