“Milestone”: new further training as lift fitter

The lack of skilled labour is dramatic. The lift sector urgently needs technically trained staff. Up to now, the VFA-Akademie has provided theoretical foundations.

It will now also address the practical side of things: this will be conveyed in a further training course of the VFA-Akademie and Thor-Akademie.

In Andreas Hönnige’s view, the lift sector is now faced with a dilemma: on the one hand, the work on lifts subject to monitoring requires a great deal of technical knowledge. On the other, there is no recognised apprenticeship or mandatory qualification for employees, who normally work in the companies after coming from different occupations and have other professional or academic qualifications.

"In past years, we have continually attempted to increase the practical proportion along with the theoretical training. However, up to now, we didn’t have a lift that we could assemble, adjust, commission, convert, maintain and disassemble," explained the managing director the VFA-Akademie gGmbH.

Qualify as fitters for lift technology

Kersten Thor, managing director of the personnel service provider Thor Industriemontagen GmbH & Co. KG. Photo: © Bernd Lorenz

Now they are available. "We have installed two lifts in our modern training centre, which can be assembled, converted and disassembled," explained Kersten Thor, managing director of the personnel service provider Thor Industriemontagen GmbH & Co. KG.

Together with the Association for Lift Technology (VFA-Interlift), Thor-Akademie has developed a further training concept which the cooperation partners presented on 20 June 2022 in Menteroda (Thuringia). In future, lift companies will be able to have their employees qualify as fitters for lift technology. A first pilot group has already tried out the course. "That went off very well," concluded Kersten Thor.

16-week training centre

Andreas Hönnige (l.), managing director of the VFA-Akademie gGmbH, and Achim Hütter, chairman of the VFA-Interlift. Photo: © Bernd Lorenz

The training course as fitter for lift technology consists of three blocks separated in time. Between the phases at the training centre of the Thor-Akademie in Menteroda, the participants return for several weeks to their companies to use what they have learnt and deepen their knowledge. The further training is complete after eleven months.

The first block lasts eight weeks. Here, the participants learn the basics of lift technology and safe working with personal protective equipment on lifts. Modules 1 to 3 cover "Introduction to lift technology", "Hydraulic lifts" and "Rope lifts". This involves the complete assembly of two lifts by the participants with detailed guidance. The second block lasts four weeks. The subjects of modules 4 and 5 are "Electric technology" and "Controllers in lift technology/commissioning". In the third block, the syllabus deals with "Conversion and service of lifts" (module 6) for two weeks.

Certificate for successful graduates

Michael Tristram (l.) und Thorsten Woitanowski. Photo: © Bernd Lorenz

A traction lift with three stops and a hydraulic lift with two stops are available to the new specialists as training lifts. In module 7, the participants are prepared in two weeks for the exam and pass the exam. Successful graduates receive a certificate, which identifies them as lift fitter and electrical specialist for fixed activities in lift construction.

Practical application phases in companies are planned between the three blocks. These last 18 and 14 weeks. During this time, the participants are regularly supervised by the lecturer team and have to keep a training report.

The first public conduct of the further training course as fitter for lift technology will begin at the Thor-Akademie in Menteroda on 26 September 2022. Information on the costs for the course can be requested from the VFA-Akademie. Overnight accommodation on reasonable terms is available to participants directly at the training centre of the Thor-Akademie.

Milestone for the sector

Volker Lenzner (VFA-Akademie). Photo: © Bernd Lorenz

The further training course is to be offered twice a year, starting in January and September. It is intended for those entering the lift sector from other occupations. Ideally, they should have completed training in a technical profession and have professional experience. The number of participants is restricted to six places.

Andreas Hönnige is satisfied by the fact that the first training course will soon be able to begin after a two-year preparation phase. In his view, a milestone has been reached for the sector with the specialist practical training course. "Of course, we now hope that companies from the lift sector will make lively use of it." Info box

More information: VFA-Akademie gGmbH, Anja Smieja, Telephone: 0049 40 8000 473-12, E-Mail: anja.smieja@vfa-interlift.de, Internet: www.vfa-interlift.de