Servus,
My name is Jean and I completed a dual study programme at VEDDER, specialising in interior design. After I passed my A-levels, I wanted to learn a trade as I was already fascinated by wood as a material. The dual study programme at VEDDER offered me the perfect opportunity to both learn an interesting trade and further my academic career.
The course of my dual study programme was as follows:
BGJ
Firstly, I completed a basic vocational school year (BGJ) at the vocational school in Landau. There I learnt the basics of wood processing in theory and practice. I was also taught how to use the machines very comprehensively there, as the school environment offers the opportunity to learn all aspects of safe handling of the tools. I had the opportunity to plan and build my first workpieces at the vocational school. Part of the BGJ is also a four-week work placement at VEDDER
2nd year of apprenticeship
After completing the BGJ, I started my 2nd year of apprenticeship, which I spent at VEDDER in production. During my time in the workshop, I was assigned a mentor who supported me with all kinds of questions.
The VEDDER training plan stipulates that each apprentice passes through the individual production departments, e.g. door construction, ceiling construction, veneer area or CNC. After I had worked in each department for a few weeks and got to know my colleagues, I was allowed to spend the rest of the second year of my apprenticeship in the bench room and, towards the end, I was able to produce two complete pieces of furniture on my own. All my colleagues and, above all, my mentor were still there to help and advise me.
Study
1st-4th semester
After the 2nd year of my apprenticeship, I started my degree programme in Rosenheim. I was one of 64 first-year students on the interior design programme there, including some dual students. Over the course of my studies, I got to know a lot of new people and experienced some great things. I received a monthly trainee salary from VEDDER for the entire duration of my studies.
During the first four semesters, I mainly had basic lectures such as maths, physics and statics, but also design subjects such as planning and presentation as well as subject-related subjects such as wood materials science. There were also project seminars where we planned a modular workplace or drew a hotel room, among other things. Student life wasn't neglected either, so there was always something to do in our free time between living in a shared flat, beer tapping, TH parties and hikes in the mountains.
Practical semester
The 5th semester of interior design is an internship semester, during which time I worked in the project team at VEDDER and was thus able to gain a deeper insight into the complex project management processes behind a yacht construction project. This includes supporting the production processes, ordering and subsequent quality control of special components and communicating with external suppliers at home and abroad. I was also able to attend meetings with designers and the owners' representatives. Looking back, I can say that every day held one or more new, interesting and, above all, unique tasks. So even during the practical phase, it never gets boring.
I also passed the journeyman's examination during the 5th semester and was thus able to complete my training as a journeyman carpenter. In the course of this, I built my journeyman's piece at VEDDER. I was also supported in this task by my colleagues in the various departments and was able to draw on a large network that I had built up during the 2nd year of my apprenticeship.
6th semester
The 6th semester continued as in the first four semesters with lectures, project seminars and typical student leisure activities.
At this point, I had already started looking for a topic for my bachelor's thesis in close contact with VEDDER. VEDDER has its own contact person and a list of suggested topics for theses. Nevertheless, it is possible to make your own suggestions and incorporate your individual wishes.
Hutsemester
The 7th semester in Rosenheim is known as the „hat semester“. This term is derived from a tradition according to which the students of the final semester of the wood study programmes wear a hat at all times of the day and night during this semester. The hat model and its colour as well as the associated „hat rules“ were organised independently by our semester. In addition to the final lectures and the Bachelor's thesis, a number of events organised by the final semester took place during the hat semester. These included the Holzer beer tapping, the Holzer Olympics and the traditional Holzer tour through the lectures of the individual professors and much more.
Bachelor thesis
My bachelor's thesis was intensively supervised by both the university and VEDDER. At the TH, I had the opportunity to choose two examiners for my thesis. The examiners assisted me with all technical and formal questions as well as with the necessary experiments in the university's laboratories.
At VEDDER, support was provided by colleagues from the relevant specialist departments. Here, too, I was able to rely on their support at all times. At the beginning, a roadmap for the work was defined together and then progress and the next steps were discussed at regular meetings.
Conclusion
To summarise, I can say that I was able to learn many things during my time at VEDDER and complete a solid apprenticeship. In addition to my Bachelor of Engineering, I was also able to complete a journeyman's certificate in carpentry and gain valuable practical experience in production. I got to know a lot of interesting people and built up an extensive network within the company. I was allowed to work in the various departments and was always very well received there.
My time as a student in Rosenheim was also very enjoyable and I have fond memories of the joint projects during the lectures, as well as the hikes in the mountains and the parties in Rosenheim.
10/10 would do it again!