Karvin – the tech enthusiast
At Emmi, all employees are valued and supported in their development. Discover a day in the life of Karvin, our apprentice automation technician. What does his daily work look like? How is he supported when facing problems and challenges? Find out more about Karvin’s professional life at Emmi.
Karvin is in the second year of his apprenticeship as a automation engineer at Emmi’s Kirchberg site. As an automation engineer, he is responsible for the planning and installation of automated systems and for the optimisation of production processes.
In this role, Karvin learns how to work with modern machines, controls and robots and how to program and monitor these systems efficiently. The work of an automation engineer requires technical understanding and strong problem-solving skills. Learn more about Karvin in the interview:
What do you like about the work?
At Emmi, I particularly enjoy working independently. I like it when someone explains something to me and I can then implement it on my own. Developing something that will later be used directly in production is a very enriching feeling.
Another aspect that I enjoy is fixing error messages in production. I like going from the workshop to production because it gives me variety in my day-to-day work. It’s exciting to solve a problem right on site at the machine and to see how things run smoothly again after my work. Programming and wiring machines is also one of the tasks that I enjoy a lot.
Which project do you have a good memory of?
I still have good memories of my first project which I was able to implement completely on my own. This was particularly exciting and occupied me every day.
I learnt a lot from this project, especially because the programming is more demanding. But if I had any questions, I always got the support I needed from the team, which helped me enormously. This project showed me how much I had already learnt. This motivated me to keep working on my skills.
What does a typical day look like during your apprenticeship?
I arrive at Emmi by public transport at 7.20 a.m., change my clothes and start in the workshop at 7.30 a.m. punctually. During the day, I mainly work on my practical projects. Every now and then, colleagues come to me with smaller tasks, usually manual tasks such as drilling something. At 9 a.m., we have a short break of 15 minutes. At lunchtime, we go together as a team to the canteen for a lunch break for about half an hour. In the afternoon I work on my projects again. Depending on the day, my working day ends between 4 pm and 5 pm.
On Friday afternoons, I always have a different duty: cleaning up the workshop.
I have school on Mondays and Tuesdays. There, I take subjects such as computer science, electrical engineering and automation, which is primarily about programming. This mix of school and work makes my day-to-day life more varied and exciting.
What convinced you to apply for a job at Emmi?
I found the atmosphere during my trial apprenticeship very pleasant. Everyone was incredibly helpful, took their time and conveyed a strong sense of team spirit. That’s why I quickly realised that I would feel at home at Emmi. I found it particularly exciting how varied the work was, and since I love food – Emmi products in particular – this place was the perfect fit for me.
My trial apprenticeship started in Ostermundigen and lasted three days. Unfortunately, there were no more apprenticeships available there. However, I was also recommended to do a trial in Kirchberg, as they saw me at Emmi. So I spent two more days in Kirchberg and finally got the apprenticeship.
Before my apprenticeship, I was at secondary school in Bern and originally wanted to be a chef. But I didn’t like the working hours in this profession, so I looked for another profession. My cousin, who also did an apprenticeship as an automation, recommended the job to me as very good. That’s how I came up with the idea of learning to be an automation engineer. Today I am happy that I have chosen this path, because I really like the mixture of technology, innovation and food.
What do you do if you have problems?
At Emmi, I always get good support when I face a challenge, which I really appreciate. I usually turn to my vocational trainer, who is always on hand if I need help. Regardless of whether it is technical issues or other issues, I can count on his support.
But it’s not just my vocational trainer – the entire team is also behind me. We are 15 people and all are incredibly nice and helpful. There is always someone who takes the time to find a solution or explain something to me. This strong team spirit gives me security and helps me to master even difficult tasks well.
Which Emmi product do you enjoy the most?
My favourite product is the Emmi Energy Milk high protein vanilla, because it gives me the energy boost I need when playing football.
What motivates you about your work?
When I see the different Emmi products on the shelves in retail stores, it motivates me to give my best every day at work. It is a great feeling to know that I am a small part of this great process of developing and manufacturing these products. This direct link between my work and the end product motivates me.
What career goals will you pursue after your apprenticeship?
My aim is to finish my apprenticeship with a good average grade, so that I can then complete the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate (BM) straight away. So far, I am well on the way to achieving this goal. After finishing the vocational baccalaureate, I could well imagine studying something in the same profession. This would allow me to further deepen my knowledge and skills.
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Our author Sophie
My name is Sophie Jung and I stared my three-year commercial apprenticeship at Emmi in 2023.
Over a period of six months, I had the great pleasure of working in Corporate Communications. During that time, I was involved in an exciting project: the creation of various apprentice portraits. This was a great opportunity to plan and realise a product independently. If I had any questions, my practice photographer and my team were always there to support me.
Now the moment has come for me to share the portrait of Karvin. I am incredibly proud of the result and am delighted to be able to present the stories and faces of our learners.
