A first for HEWI and TalentOrange: On August 8, 2025, Andrés Felipe Parra Tibocha (24) from Colombia and Vyctor Marques da Costa Gomes (26) from Brazil began their training as plastics and rubber technologists at HEWI in Bad Arolsen. TalentOrange carefully selected both candidates in their home countries. In a multi-stage selection process, they prevailed over around 40 competitors. The personal interviews took place in mid-2024 in Bogotá (Colombia) and Recife (Brazil).
In autumn 2024, the two trainees started a seven-month full-time intensive language course aiming for a B2 level in their home countries. During this time, they were thoroughly prepared for life and work in Germany by both HEWI and TalentOrange. Both Felipe and Vyctor had already completed training in mechanical engineering and chemistry in their home countries—an ideal foundation for their training as plastics technologists at HEWI.
“We are very pleased to welcome Andrés Felipe and Vyctor as highly motivated trainees at HEWI. They bring valuable prior knowledge that perfectly prepares them for training with us,” explains HEWI Managing Director Thorsten Stute. “This project is an important building block for our long-term skilled workforce strategy.”
For TalentOrange, the two young men are the first trainees in the industrial sector—after 13 years of experience integrating professionals in healthcare and social services. HEWI, too, is welcoming trainees from abroad for the first time. Many companies face the challenge of filling apprentice positions as graduating classes shrink. According to the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), 69,400 training positions remained unfilled in 2024: BIBB / Stagnation in the Training Market.
Michele Klimek, HR Officer for Recruiting and Training at HEWI, describes the international recruiting process as an “enriching experience.” The interviews covered not only technical questions but also the candidates’ diverse cultural backgrounds and, above all, the courage to leave their home countries. “We see great opportunity in working with international trainees,” emphasizes Thomas Hansmeyer, Head of Production & Logistics at HEWI. “Cultural exchange not only fosters collaboration but also strengthens important skills such as openness, empathy, and teamwork.”
Both trainees express gratitude and motivation: “I am very happy to have received this opportunity,” says Andrés Felipe. “Germany has always been a country with great technical expertise—and now I get to be part of it.”
Vyctor adds: “The people at HEWI welcomed me very warmly from the start. I am excited to learn a lot here and to continue developing myself.”
As early as 2022, one in ten training contracts was signed with an international trainee, and this number is expected to continue growing—thanks to committed young professionals like Vyctor and Andrés Felipe: BIBB / New Analyses on Foreign Trainees.
We wish them both a successful start and much success!
In our photo (from left to right):
Thomas Hansmeyer (Head of Production & Logistics), Andrés Felipe Parra Tibocha (Trainee), Daniel Wilke (Technical Training Manager), Vyctor Marques da Costa Gomes (Trainee), Thorsten Stute (Management), Michele Klimek (HR Officer Recruiting & Training)