Trainees 2022 2023 2024 Total 491 432 409 Germany 238 221 205 China 112 94 104 Hungary 68 62 48 India 36 34 33 Switzerland 27 21 19 Bulgaria 10 0 0 Education and Training Vocational Training Festo is committed to providing our trainees and students with knowledge and skills that are important for the future success of manufacturing industry. Digitalization and sustainability are top priorities at Festo. Our objective is to prepare the next generation of skilled workers by giving them optimum skills for an increasingly virtual and resource-efficient working environment. This will sharpen our competitive edge as a company and as an employer. Forward-looking vocational training We are continuing to deploy substantial investment worldwide in training the skilled workers of the future. In 2024, we allocated a total of 10.9 million euros for this purpose. Graduates of a vocational training program in Germany are generally offered permanent employment and this helps us to retain skilled employees over the long term. We continuously develop and adapt our training and study programs. In 2024, we introduced the training vocation “Immersive media designer (M/F/NB)” at our headquarters in Germany and set up a collaborative degree program in the field of biomechatronics. Our training programs focus on a balance between theory and practical application. We also support this approach through the Festo Sustainability Award, which salutes creative and sustainable projects carried out by trainees every two years. 19 teams including a total of 50 apprentices took part in the Award 2024. In November, the five winning teams from various national subsidiaries presented their projects in Esslingen. The projects ranged from innovative systems for energy-efficient compressedair generation to AI-powered devices for cleaning photovoltaic systems. Trainees worldwide In 2024, Festo trained 409 apprentices worldwide. The fall in numbers is attributable to fluctuations in demand (e.g. changes in job profiles) and because Germany upholds a commitment to permanent employment. Number of apprentices in the years 2022 to 2024 by countries. Further training As an independent family-owned company, Festo thinks and acts on the basis of a long-term perspective and with a sense of responsibility. The philosophy of lifelong learning is an important cornerstone of our corporate culture. A broad array of training opportunities enables us to provide our employees with the scope to develop their skills and prepare for future demands. Digitalized working environment: Capability Shift initiative Digitalization in industry is undergoing rapid development. As part of the Capability Shift strategic initiative, which is part of our corporate strategy, we have equipped our employees with skills focused on the future so that they are ideally prepared for the digitalized workplace. The Capability Shift initiative was put into operation at the beginning of 2025. In future, the measures will be taken forward on a decentralized basis within the responsible departments. As part of the initiative, the following measures were launched: – We use the qualification program in sales for electric automation to coach our employees in technology, and product training and sales methods. Since the global launch of the training course, we have reached approximately 2,500 employees. – The Festo Spring School offers targeted advanced training in software, AI, electric automation, and digitalization. The program covers practice-driven learning, peer learning, and external initiatives like keynotes, university visits, and startup centers. Participants benefit from content geared to the future, global networking, and new perspectives for their daily work. – The advanced qualification in software development runs in cooperation with Esslingen University of Applied Sciences as a part-time course over four semesters. It offers training geared to practical skills with a direct link to Festo. Learning focus for 2024: artificial intelligence Our advanced training opportunities also take up the latest pioneering trends. For example, in 2024 nearly 15,000 participants from almost all Festo national subsidiaries upskilled their knowledge of AI at more than 60 events during the “Focus Month Artificial Intelligence (AI)”. Theoretical knowledge, practical applications, and case studies helped to give participants a better understanding of how AI operates and how it can be used in our daily work at Festo. In 2024, Festo set up a collaborative degree program in biomechatronics. Festo SE & Co. KG Sustainability Report 2024 Festo SE & Co. KG Sustainability Report 2024 2. Social 36 37
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