People at ALPLA – Interview with Philip Nömer

Philip, before we talk about your trip to Mexico: What made you choose an apprenticeship as a plastics technician at ALPLA?

I applied to ALPLA because I believe plastics are a really interesting material. It´s a very relevant and innovative field. I chose ALPLA because it’s a global, modern company that offers great opportunities to see the world. On top of that, the working atmosphere here is really good.. 

You’re now in your fourth and final year of training. What does a typical day as an apprentice look like for you?

No two days are the same. It really depends on the department I’m in and what I’m currently learning. I usually assist the skilled workers and learn by watching and doing. By now, I can already handle many tasks on my own. In Hard, I mainly work on product sampling processes.

At the end of August, you flew to Mexico for three weeks. How did that come about?

When I started my apprenticeship, I was told that good performance gets rewarded, which really motivated me. I gave my best at the apprentice skills competition and ended up achieving an excellent result. That opened the door for me to go abroad.

How long did the preparation take?

After my success, I immediately reached out to colleagues and trainers to learn how to make it happen. Things moved quickly — I got the approval, and about two months before departure, we started planning in detail. I coordinated with Joerg Oestreich, who leads the Future Corner (training workshop) in Toluca. Together, we worked out the schedule; even the leisure activities. 

What kind of work did you do in Mexico?

mainly worked in the Technical Center, operating our EBM machines. I learned some new processes and got to see how our colleagues there work. Despite the language barrier, we understood each other surprisingly well - “with hands and feet” - as we say back home.

A real highlight was visiting a Coca-Cola FEMSA bottling plant. That was something completely new for me. Seeing how quickly things move from preform injection to filling, labeling, loading, and shipping was fascinating.

I also got to know the Future Corner in Toluca. The training setup in Mexico is impressive: great equipment, dedicated trainers, and a manager who really cares about the apprentices.

And what did you experience outside of work?

Well, the trip started with a highlight — I got upgraded to business class, which was amazing. In Mexico, I spent a lot of time with the apprentices there; they showed me around Toluca and introduced me to authentic Mexican food, which is fantastic, by the way. I also visited Mexico City and the Teotihuacán pyramids.

The biggest highlight was the Mexican Independence Day on September 15th celebrating the start of the independence movement against Spain. The atmosphere was incredible, and one of the local colleagues invited me to celebrate with his family. It was an unforgettable experience. I’m really grateful to everyone who made it possible.

Back in Austria: How would you describe an apprenticeship at ALPLA to your friends?

It’s a really exciting time where you learn a lot, meet new people, and gain hands-on experience. You get to know many colleagues, both in the company and at vocational school. At ALPLA, you build up a broad range of technical knowledge, because there are so many different technologies you can work with and learn from. 

Let’s finish with a few personal questions. What do you do when you’re not working?

Most of the time, I’m doing sports. I play football for FC Hard and go to the gym regularly. When I’m not training, I like hanging out with friends. I also attend evening classes once a week to complete my high school diploma alongside my apprenticeship. 

And one last question: What’s your favorite food? And after your trip, what should everyone try in Mexico at least once?

My favorite dish has to be Käsespätzle with crispy onions and potato salad. 
And in Mexico, you definitely have to test your spice tolerance. It’s the perfect place for that, and you’ll quickly find your limits!