We are IG Metall Philipp Daus

“I work at MAN Truck Modification in Wittlich in the Eifel region. That’s where I completed my apprenticeship as a bodywork and automotive technician, finishing last year. I’m particularly interested in metal fabrication and welding. At the end of last year, I participated in the German Skilled Trades Competition in Frankfurt. The goal there was to determine the best bodywork technician at the national level. I had already won at the state level.

I wasn’t nervous. I just let it happen. My task in the competition was to build a section of a truck’s underrun protection. The focus was on the precision of the workmanship, dimensional accuracy, the welds, and the cut edges. It’s nice that I took first place at the national level, and it’s a validation for me, but it’s no reason for me to get carried away.

National champion Philipp Daus with his master craftsman Jürgen Elsen. (Photo: Mehrdad Sade)

I’m down-to-earth. Even as a child, I used to tinker with machines at my father’s waste management company. At MAN in Wittlich, where I work, we modify vehicles—for example, customizing truck cabs to the driver’s specifications or installing crew cabins in fire trucks. We can do anything that can’t be done on an assembly line. I enjoy figuring out customized solutions.

During my apprenticeship, I was immediately integrated into the day-to-day work. We don’t have a training workshop here. The expectation is that apprentices will work directly on the vehicles right away and independently build what they’ve learned in the training program. You’re thrown in at the deep end right away. “Learning by doing,” is what my foreman says.

Our company has had good results with this approach. The works council also takes very good care of the apprenticeship program. Before me, two other apprentices did very well in competitions and each became state champions.

In the coming years, I plan to pursue my advanced training to become a master technician in auto body repair. In my free time, I enjoy scuba diving and am active in the fire department.”