Apprentices’ company tour of the Westeifel Werke gGmbH

The Westeifel Werke is a workshop for disabled people (WfbM) to promote participation in working life and it employs people who, because of their disability cannot, cannot yet or cannot again be employed on the general labour market.
Werner Kessel greeted us and took us straight to the conference room, where he told us about the origins of the Westeifel Werke, and we watched the film about the company's various buildings and facilities. The film had been made to mark the 40th anniversary of the company.

Then we made a tour of the company’s premises. First, we visited the workshop that 100% checks our cold formed parts and pressure sleeves, stamps them or fits magnets to them.
After that, we went to the workshops that process orders for other companies. These included a workshop that cuts and packages wooden strips and a workshop that checks and packages television supplies and also assembles and fills cable drums.

After this we visited another workshop where our screws are also manually checked and the sealing ring assembly takes place.

Finally, we visited the special needs groups, where people who are severely disabled receive special care and support.  A number of people here are also preparing to re-enter the mainstream labour market. Finally, a group picture was taken.

After about three hours, we all returned home with new insights.

Anna Wald
Industrial management assistant, 3rd year apprentice