Our apprentice introduces himself: What does a mechatronics technician actually do?

Immerse yourself in the world of mechatronics with Alejandro P., our 22-year-old apprentice. Find out how he develops laser tools for industry and why this apprenticeship not only requires precision, but also creative fun.

The Tagespiegel newspaper interviewed our trainee Alejandro P. as part of its “Berlin trainees introduce themselves” series. He provides insights into his apprenticeship as a mechatronics technician with us: “The world of work is diverse. In our series, trainees from Berlin introduce their professions. This time: 22-year-old Alejandro P. is training as a mechatronics technician at Scansonic.

Many apprenticeships are little known or hardly known at all. Berlin apprentices want to change that in our series.

Could you explain your apprenticeship in one sentence?
I’m Alejandro P. and I’m in the second year of my apprenticeship as a mechatronics technician at Scansonic in Berlin. I travelled from Colombia to Germany especially for this, because there are no opportunities like this there. We manufacture laser tools for industry that can be used to weld, solder, harden or cut metal components.

What interests should people have for this apprenticeship?
You should definitely enjoy working with machines and be enthusiastic about technology. We work with our hands, so precision and dexterity are important.

What is particularly fun, why would you recommend this apprenticeship?
All children like building with blocks. You create things. It’s the same with us! We assemble the parts, adjust everything to the millimetre, install the software and finally check that everything fits together perfectly. A working day flies by.

How long does the apprenticeship last and how much is the salary?
The apprenticeship lasts 3.5 years. The training allowance in the first year is 1000 euros, in the second year 1150 euros, in the third year 1250 euros and in the fourth year 1350 euros.

What else should we know?
Almost all appliances today have to do with mechatronics, from the kitchen appliance at home to a large industrial plant. Because the requirements for manufacturing have increased, three specialisms have been combined in mechatronics: Mechanics, electronics and information technology. At Scansonic, there are also optical components. So there’s never a dull moment.
The “My Apprenticeship” series is produced in collaboration with the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Berlin Chamber of Crafts.”

Read the Tagesspiegel article here.