Rolls-Royce welcomes 114 new apprentices and dual students

• 102 apprentices started in Friedrichshafen, eight at other German locations and four in Aiken (USA).
• Rolls-Royce cooperates with Everllence, Zeppelin Systems and SBH Nordost.
• For the first time, there is a training programme for skilled workers in catering.

In late summer 2025, 114 apprentices and dual students started their professional careers at Rolls-Royce Power Systems in the UK and abroad. "We have been training young people for over 100 years – for us, this is more than just an investment in skilled workers. It is an expression of our social responsibility. We are convinced that those who train others are taking responsibility for the future – for the people, the region, society and our democracy. Education strengthens participation, promotes co-creation and is a foundation for democratic coexistence," says Dr Thelse Godewerth, Chief People Officer at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

A total of 66 apprentices and 30 technical students from the Cooperative State University have started their training at the Friedrichshafen site. In addition, there are six joint apprentices from Zeppelin Systems. Another eight apprentices started at other German sites. Three apprentices started in Ruhstorf and Magdeburg, and two in Augsburg.

Four apprentices started in Aiken (USA). The training is similar to dual training in Germany. The trainees attend school three days a week and work at the company two days a week. At the end of their two-year programme, the apprentices receive a vocational certificate.

At Rolls-Royce Power Systems, apprentices can learn a variety of professions: from industrial mechanic to dual study programmes such as data science and AI to catering specialist. "‘We are offering this training programme for the first time this year," says Martin Stocker, training manager at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. "Catering is an important link for our employees and should be run in-house. To this end, we also want to train future skilled personnel and offer new development opportunities at the same time."

Cooperation with Everllence, Zeppelin Systems and SBH

In Augsburg, the local subsidiary has been cooperating with Everllence since 2019. At Everllence, trainees learn basic skills in the fields of electronics for industrial engineering and mechatronics. In Magdeburg, the local subsidiary works together with SBH Nordost. At the service company, trainees in the fields of machining mechanics and industrial mechanics receive basic training in their first year of apprenticeship.

In Friedrichshafen, Rolls-Royce works with Zeppelin Systems. The joint trainees learn in both companies in order to acquire a variety of training content. This year, there are six joint trainees.

"For us, training young people is not an obligation, but an investment in the future of our company. That's why we train them with many opportunities: our trainees can gain experience abroad through support programmes such as Erasmus+ or AusbildungWeltweit. There are also internal offers such as taster internships," says Stocker.

Francesco Lavanga, Chairman of the Training Committee at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, also emphasises the importance of training: ‘I am proud of our vocational training at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, which provides training at a very high level.’ The Education Committee is the link between the trainees and Training Manager Stocker.