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Skilled workers essential for infrastructure
The importance of these pipe networks is indispensable for our society. What is often not immediately apparent is the enormous importance of the skilled workers who install and maintain these pipelines. The qualification to weld pipes professionally is not only learned according to strict standards, but is regularly tested even after acquisition to ensure the safety of the infrastructure.

The largest provider of plastic pipe welding in German-speaking countries is the SKZ Plastics Center. At its location in Peine, Lower Saxony, Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil and the Mayor of Peine, Klaus Saemann, recently came to see the institute’s training courses and range of tasks for themselves.

Insights into the Peine training center
The politicians had many questions about plastics processing, the shortage of skilled workers and pipeline construction in their luggage and were able to gain an impression of the training during a tour of the SKZ site.

“We are always pleased to have the opportunity to discuss current industry challenges and problems with political decision-makers. We see the fact that Federal Minister Heil has already visited us twice as a great appreciation of our work,” explains Andreas Grzeskowiak, Site Manager of the SKZ in Peine. Future topics such as the H2-readiness of the gas pipeline system or the expansion of the district heating network and the negative effects of the shortage of skilled workers on economic performance were also discussed in small groups during the visit.

Finally, the visitors had the opportunity to experience a training course for plastic welders first-hand, gaining insights into the practical transfer of knowledge and wishing the participants every success in their upcoming exams.