Rising energy and labor costs, international competitive pressure, and the ongoing shortage of skilled workers pose major challenges for the German plastics industry. Nevertheless, the future of injection molding in Germany is by no means decided. The key factor will be how companies succeed in providing targeted professional development for their employees and systematically expanding their existing expertise. The SKZ Plastics Center focuses on practical training programs that equip skilled workers not only for production but also for demanding organizational and strategic tasks.

The SKZ offers a modular training program leading to recognized certifications. (Photo: René Bauer, SKZ)

Continuing Education at SKZ: The Key to Competitiveness and Securing the Future

To support companies on this path, SKZ offers a modular training system leading to recognized certifications. The training pathways range from an introduction to injection molding technology, through certification as an injection molding production specialist, to specialized certifications such as process optimizer or mold manager. The goal is to specifically prepare skilled workers for more advanced roles and open up new career opportunities for them.

New Course: “Cost and Economic Analysis in Injection Molding”
Employees who can combine technical knowledge with an understanding of economics are in particularly high demand today. For this reason, the SKZ has expanded its educational offerings and developed the new course “Cost and Economic Analysis in Injection Molding.” The training covers the key cost drivers along the value chain, ranging from material and product costs to mold concepts and mold costs, all the way through to mold procurement and prototyping. The course is aimed at both technical specialists and employees in purchasing, project management, and work planning. The combination of these knowledge areas is designed to enable technical and business staff to take a holistic view.

A new feature is the targeted integration of economic content with proven seminars in the areas of part design and mold technology. By combining these courses, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of technical and economic interrelationships. They learn not only how to design parts and molds but also which decisions influence investment costs, manufacturing costs, and a product’s long-term competitiveness.

For companies, this translates into tangible added value: employees are empowered to make informed decisions when procuring tools, evaluate bids from both technical and economic perspectives, identify opportunities for optimization, and sustainably improve production processes. This fosters skills that go far beyond mere machine operation and are increasingly required for operational and strategic management roles.

Training for Career Changers and Young Professionals
At the same time, the SKZ addresses the shortage of skilled workers by offering new training pathways for career changers and young professionals. The continuing education program to become an injection molding production specialist provides hands-on knowledge in the areas of setup, adjustment, process control, process optimization, failure analysis, and sampling. Thanks to the high proportion of hands-on training on modern injection molding machines, participants are specifically prepared for the real-world demands of industrial manufacturing.

Skilled Workers Make the Difference
The SKZ’s message is clear: The future of injection molding in Germany will not be determined solely by machines, automation, or the location. Competitiveness stems above all from qualified people who understand technical, organizational, and economic interrelationships and can translate them into successful production processes. Continuing education thus becomes a decisive factor for success for the entire industry.

“The question is not whether injection molding is economically viable in Germany. The crucial question is: Do we have the right skilled workers to design efficient processes, control costs, and consistently exploit technical potential?” explains Robert Held, Group Leader for Injection Molding and Additive Manufacturing Training at the SKZ. Even small improvements in the areas of process control, mold technology, or component design could have a significant impact on quality, cycle time, and ultimately, cost-effectiveness, according to Held.

Further information on the injection molding training program