KFE gGmbH, the continuing education division of the SKZ Plastics Center, has been awarded a certificate of honor for 25 years of membership in the Würzburg-Schweinfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). This long-standing partnership reflects a shared commitment to professional continuing education and ensuring a skilled workforce in Mainfranken.

Oliver Freitag (left) and Benjamin Baudrit at the presentation of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s certificate of honor to the SKZ. (Photo: Luca Hoffmannbeck, SKZ)

SKZ and the Würzburg-Schweinfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce Take Stock of Their Joint Success

Qualified professionals are a key factor in the competitiveness of the industry. Through practical continuing education programs, the SKZ supports companies and employees in meeting the growing demands of the plastics industry and new technological fields. A key foundation for this is the close partnership with the IHK Würzburg-Schweinfurt, of which the SKZ’s continuing education division has been a member for 25 years now.

During this time, the range of educational programs has been continuously expanded. In addition to established career advancement programs, new training formats have been developed to help companies address the challenges of skilled labor shortages, digitalization, and technological change.

“We are proud of our 25 years of membership in the Würzburg-Schweinfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce and are delighted to receive this award. It symbolizes a partnership built on trust that has helped shape continuing vocational education in the region for many years. Together, we are making an important contribution to securing a skilled workforce and ensuring the competitiveness of companies in Mainfranken,” says Dr. Benjamin Baudrit, Managing Director of Education & Research at the SKZ.

Certified Industrial Foreman in Plastics and Rubber as a Career Springboard
Among the long-established programs is the continuing education track leading to certification as a Certified Industrial Foreman in Plastics and Rubber. It opens up career prospects for skilled workers in leadership roles and, in addition to technical expertise, imparts skills in employee management, organization, and production control. In this way, it makes an important contribution to workforce development in the plastics industry.

Since 1967, more than 3,500 participants have successfully completed their master craftsman training at the SKZ. As a link between management and production, they take on key roles in plastics-processing companies and contribute significantly to the companies’ success. For many graduates, the master craftsman certification also serves as the foundation for further career advancement.

Additive Manufacturing as a Key Topic in Continuing Education
Together with the Würzburg-Schweinfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the SKZ is also developing innovative training programs for future technologies. One example is the certification program for Industrial Technicians in Additive Manufacturing, which specifically prepares skilled workers for the demands of modern additive manufacturing processes. The program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on application and supports companies in building expertise in one of the most dynamic areas of industrial manufacturing.

The nationwide significance of this educational program was recognized in 2025 with the Formnext AMbassador Award. In addition, SKZ and the IHK offer further continuing education programs in the field of additive manufacturing, thereby making an important contribution to training skilled workers for the industry of tomorrow.

Strong Partnership to Secure a Skilled Workforce in Mainfranken
The partnership between SKZ and the IHK is evident not only in joint educational programs but also in the ongoing dialogue with companies in the region. The goal is to consistently align training programs with practical requirements and to open up attractive development opportunities for employees.
A recent visible sign of this close collaboration was the SKZ’s designation of the IHK Würzburg-Schweinfurt as a “Premium Partner for Education 2025.” This recognition honors their shared commitment to high-quality continuing education and the sustainable development of skilled workers in Mainfranken.

“KFE gGmbH has been a member of our Chamber of Industry and Commerce for 25 years. Through its work in research and education, it makes an important contribution to securing a skilled workforce and to the innovative strength of companies in Mainfranken. We extend our heartfelt congratulations on this anniversary and thank them for their long-standing, trusting collaboration,” says Oliver Freitag, Head of the Energy and Environment Division at the Würzburg-Schweinfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Continuing Education as the Key to Tomorrow’s Industry
Continuing education and lifelong learning will remain crucial factors for the success of the regional economy in the future. Together, SKZ and the IHK aim to help prepare skilled workers for the challenges of tomorrow and support companies in their development.
By combining proven career advancement programs with innovative training opportunities, the SKZ has played a key role in shaping the development of skilled workers in Mainfranken for a quarter of a century and has provided important impetus far beyond the region.