TECE is the training champion of the sanitary sector
The F.A.Z. Institute honours TECE for its consistent support of young talent
The apprenticeship market in Germany is under strain: as of 30 September 2025, there were around 40,000 applicants nationwide who had not yet secured a place, compared with some 54,000 unfilled apprenticeship places (German Federal Employment Agency, Apprenticeship Market Review 2024/25). In such an environment, it is all the more important to recognise those who offer young people reliable prospects. The F.A.Z. Institute has named TECE a “Training Champion” in the Sanitary & Bathroom Design category. The award recognises companies that stand out for their particularly strong commitment to apprenticeships.
Supporting young talent as a philosophy
Whilst many companies are no longer able to fill their apprenticeship spots, TECE has for years been committed to a consistent approach of promoting young talent. The company does not view apprenticeships as a mere obligation, but as an investment in the future of the entire sanitary and building services sector. Underpinning this is TECE’s firmly established philosophy of ‘CLOSE TO YOU’: being close to people applies not only to customers and partners, but equally to its own staff and young talent.
Giving young people responsibility at an early stage, having faith in their abilities and offering them reliable support makes them stronger – and ensures the sector’s long-term viability. The fact that this philosophy extends beyond the apprenticeship programme has already been demonstrated in the past: according to the F.A.Z. Institute, TECE was named one of ‘Germany’s most sought-after employers in 2025’.
Training programme with a vision
A look at the range of training programmes on offer shows just how seriously the Emsdetten-based company takes the support of young talent. In addition to the in Germany conventional three-year apprenticeship in commercial, technical and industrial occupations, TECE also offers dual study programmes. In this regard, the company places great emphasis on close support: a mentoring programme, a group orientation week and regular trainee events provide guidance and foster a sense of camaraderie right from the start. When training begins, the new apprentices get to know their training supervisors and the company. An apprentice team day and an orientation game on the premises further ease their transition. Being given responsibilities right from the start ensures that young people experience early on that their work matters.
The apprentices also have the opportunity to play an active role beyond their day-to-day work. For example, they take part in trade fairs alongside the sales team and take on their own responsibilities as part of the trade fair team. During Trainee Week, when external HVAC apprentices are trained at TECE, the TECE apprentices play an active role in shaping the programme with short presentations and factory tours. The trainee trip, which takes place every three years and is funded by TECE, is also organised by the apprentices themselves.
“Our apprentices take on responsibility at an early stage and are able to play an active role in shaping their training. We place particular importance on a strong sense of camaraderie amongst them and the personal support they receive from our training instructors", says Christin Strootmann, HR Representative for Training at TECE.
One opportunity in particular stands out: trainees can undertake an internship abroad lasting up to four weeks, thereby gaining international experience at an early stage within a family-run business operating worldwide. The apprenticeship is complemented by attractive benefits – including holiday pay and a Christmas bonus, 30 days of annual leave, flexible working hours, health and wellbeing schemes, and bonuses for good and very good final exam results. This creates an environment in which young talent become enthusiastic about the sanitary and building services sector in the long run and remain loyal to the company after successfully completing their apprenticeship.
About the Award
The “Training Champions 2026” study is published by the F.A.Z. Institute in collaboration with the analysis firm Service Value. The study is based on social media monitoring and a structured online survey: between June 2024 and May 2026, around 2.4 million mentions relating to around 16,500 companies were recorded and analysed in the areas of training and employer performance. The results were used to calculate an industry-standardised total score on a scale of 0 to 100. Companies with above-average scores were recognised – such as TECE in the Sanitary & Bathroom Design category.