Yacob – the technology enthusiast
At Emmi, every employee is valued and supported. Read about the daily work routine of our apprentice machine operator, Yacob, here. What experience makes him particularly proud? What does he enjoy the most at Emmi? He talks about this and other engaging things about his working life in this interview.
Yacob is in his third year of training as a machine operator at Emmi's Suhr site. He makes sure the machines run flawlessly and that production processes flow smoothly. With technical expertise, a keen eye for detail, and strong dedication, he ensures the production facilities are perfectly prepared to deliver high-quality products. He is passionate about the technology and embraces the exciting challenges that each day of his apprenticeship bring.
Yacob, why did you apply to Emmi?
During my trial apprenticeship at Emmi, I soon realised that Emmi was absolutely the right place for me. Above all, it was the pleasant athmosphere with the employees that won me over. Everyone was approachable, supportive, and made me feel like part of the team from day one.
I also enjoyed controlling and operating the systems. It was exciting to see how everything works and how important each individual setting is for achieving a perfect result.
One of the reasons I applied to Emmi is that I live right by the production building. I’d, therefore, known the company for quite some time, and now I’m delighted to be a part of it.
What experience are you most proud of?
One defining experience during my training was the moment I was allowed to control and operate a machine independently for the first time. After an hour of safety training, I was able to get started right away and operate the system, with the help of other employees, of course. This sense of responsibility and trust was really cool for me. I am still fascinated by the technical aspects of the machines and find it exciting to learn more about them every day.
Another highlight was the company party in Suhr. It was a great evening in which all employees got together. We ate together, laughed a lot and even had a comedian provide some funny entertainment. Moments like these strengthen the sense of community and make your time at Emmi unforgettable.
What does your working week look like?
My working day starts very early, usually around 5:00 am. After a short five to ten-minute shift handover from the night shift to the early shift, I get to work on the milk filling plant. I receive the orders for the day via the MES device. Every hour, I take a sample of the current product on the line. When a new product is introduced on the same line or machine, I have to take four samples at a time. If there are any problems, I try to fix them as quickly as possible so that production can continue smoothly. At about 9:00 am, I have a longer break of about 30 minutes. In the afternoon, I continue to process the orders on the lines that are assigned to us by the MES devices. My working day ends with the handover to the late shift at 2:00 pm. Machine operators have a total of three shifts: early, late and night shifts.
Once a week, on Monday, I attend vocational school in Olten, where I attend classes in mechanics, electrics and control systems, for example. From time to time, I also attend intercompany courses in Zuchwil, where I learn about company-specific topics. I really like the school and I appreciate the variety of practice and theory.
At first, it was a challenge to get used to the early start, as I’m more of a night owl. But I’ve gotten used to it by now, and I even like the early shifts better than the late ones, as I then get the whole day to myself after work, which I think is great.
What’s your favourite product?
There’s no better way to start the day than with an Emmi Caffè Latte Macchiato.
What is your impression of the working environment at Emmi?
Overall, I find it very pleasant. There is an open and relaxed atmosphere in which everyone can talk to anyone and also gets along well with each other. I particularly appreciate that my colleagues are very sociable and always willing to listen to each other. It’s just fun to be part of a team where there’s no shortage of humour and lots of laughter. The open and friendly nature of the employees definitely makes me feel at home here at Emmi.
What do you enjoy most at Emmi?
The most fun part of my work is operating the machines. It is a varied and engaging process in which there is always something to do or watch. The work is never boring. I think it’s fascinating how the technology behind the machines works and how precisely everything fits together. There are always small challenges that I have to solve, but that’s what makes my day-to-day work exciting. I also like that I can see the results of my work directly.
What are your goals after your apprenticeship?
After my apprenticeship, I would like to get my vocational diploma (BM). My goal is to enrol in the BM without having to take an entrance exam, which means that I have to achieve an average grade of 5 at the end of my apprenticeship. It’ll be a challenge, but I’ll do my best. Even though I’m currently a little behind in achieving this goal right now, I’m working hard to keep improving both at school and in practice to achieve this goal.
“Emmi is not just a place to work, it is a vocation.“
Our author Sophie
My name is Sophie Jung and I started my three-year commerical apprenticeship at Emmi in 2023
From August 2024 to January 2025, I had the great pleasure of working in Corporate Communications. During this time, I was incolced in an exciting project: the creation of various apprentive 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 Noah. I am incredibly proud of the result and am delighted to be able to present the stories and faces of our learners.
