Building with wood, fostering talent: the business with a pioneering approach to training
It all began with a passion for building with wood: the inspiring development and impressive success story of a business that embodies excellence in craftsmanship while demonstrating a strong commitment to encouraging young talent. It's a story of artisanal dedication, innovation and a sustainable approach to building a promising future.
Two master carpenters: Hermann Bühlbecker and his son Bastian Bühlbecker.
In the rich history of carpentry and dry construction firm Hermann Bühlbecker GmbH, founded on 1 April 1989 by Hermann Bühlbecker in Wadersloh, north-west Germany, there has always been an impressive commitment to quality craftsmanship and training. After gaining his master carpenter's certificate, Bühlbecker built up his own business from scratch. Having completed his training, he spent a few months working as a master carpenter for a construction company before deciding to set up his own business. To begin with, he ran the business alone with the active support of his wife, Andrea Bühlbecker. Together they built up the company with limited means and the business steadily grew. Gradually they enlarged their team, recruiting their first employees and taking on their first trainees. During the 34 years of the company's existence so far, they've supervised a large number of trainees, mostly carpenters, but also an administrator for their own needs.
With 15 employees currently on the team, they're continuing the success story, providing a living example of artisanal excellence, sustainable growth and the development of skilled workers in the construction industry.
But in addition to skilled craftsmanship, the company's vision emphasises the fostering of up-and-coming professional tradespeople through apprenticeships. The diversity of the apprentices at the company illustrates its commitment to inclusion and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
The Bühlbecker company actively strives to support a diverse group of trainees. It sees valuable potential in every individual, regardless of their prior training. For example, some trainees have had specific needs, perhaps due to language barriers or their school education being cut short by fleeing their home country. Bühlbecker always seeks to build on these different foundations, working closely with vocational schools and qualified tradespeople and, where necessary, with the support of the jobcentre. A robust system was developed, in which tailored support plays a key role. This ranges from individual coaching from dedicated members of staff, to help from the entire company to ensure that every trainee receives the best possible training.
Manager Bastian Bühlbecker, Hermann Bühlbecker and also Andrea Bühlbecker, who has supported the management of the business for many years, firmly believe that taking care of their trainees means helping each one of them, regardless of individual strengths or weaknesses. As a result, the Bühlbecker company isn't just a workplace, but a place where individual ambitions are fostered and each apprentice's future is actively shaped.
Every year the company offers one apprenticeship in carpentry, with the training lasting three years. It also regularly offers placements aimed at various target groups. This includes young people still at school doing work experience, job taster days and school holiday placements, as well as architecture students completing advance training placements and people looking to retrain for a different job. These initiatives underline the ongoing commitment of the business to encouraging and developing young talent in manual trades.
The tasks that trainees work on, from drywall construction to building a carport, underlines the variety and opportunities offered by training at Bühlbecker. By maintaining personal contact with the parents of young people and offering work experience before a contract is signed, the company demonstrates its exceptional commitment to selecting and encouraging talented potential apprentices.
Lars W. (18) has been training as a carpenter at Bühlbecker since 1 August 2022.
Over the years, the business has switched from a focus on traditional carpentry work such as the construction and alignment of roof trusses to a broader focus on timber construction. This transformation has been driven mostly by environmental considerations and the growing popularity of timber construction, which has resulted in a greater use of wood in a wide range of projects. The company's services cover a broad spectrum. In addition to constructing roof trusses and dormers, Bühlbecker builds carports, balconies and canopies for front doors and terraces. This extensive expertise reflects the versatility of the business while underlining its commitment to high-quality craftsmanship in various areas of timber construction.
In its striving for artisanal perfection, Bühlbecker trusts in STABILA measuring tools. These high-quality tools represent not just precision and reliability, but also the ability to ensure the highest quality for any construction project. By integrating STABILA measuring tools into its day-to-day work, Bühlbecker underscores its efforts to demonstrate both versatility in craftsmanship as well as to achieve the highest standards in quality and precision.
For Hermann, Andrea and Bastian Bühlbecker, supporting talented young people to develop their potential is of vital importance. The business continues to work hard to train young people to ensure that artisanal expertise and traditional skills are passed on to future generations. With a clear eye on the future, the company plans to step up its efforts in encouraging new talent through training. Providing high-quality training places supports the development of individual apprentices while actively strengthening the future of skilled trades. The Bühlbecker company isn't just home to excellent craftsmanship, but is also a pioneer for the next generation of skilled workers in timber construction.
Website: www.buehlbecker.de | Instagram: @zimmereibuehlbecker | Facebook: @ZimmereiBuehlbecker