- Renowned as the industry’s leading program to prepare students for the printing industry
- Students attend Koenig & Bauer’s world-renowned Training Center in Germany and work in its Assembly Hall from pre-assembly to final assembly
- Successful program began in 2019 with first apprentice from Texas State Technical College; 2026 applications are being accepted through Oct. 15
- Competitive pay and benefits along with growth opportunities and travel attracts young students
© Koenig & Bauer
Koenig & Bauer (US/CA) is pleased to announce its seventh consecutive year of its successful apprenticeship program. The program currently has six apprentices enrolled and continues to provide participants with valuable skills and professional development. The company is now accepting applications for its 2026 apprenticeship class. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by the deadline of October 15. The program offers a competitive compensation package, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career advancement and travel.
“Our apprenticeship program has been a vital investment in the future of our workforce and our company,” says Chris Talbert, chief operating officer for Koenig & Bauer (US/CA). “It allows us to build strong foundations with talented individuals early in their careers, while also ensuring we maintain the high standards our industry demands. What makes our program stand out above the others is that our trainees are acquiring knowledge on the most technologically advanced printing equipment, while living in Germany, and learning to speak German with their factory counterparts. Our graduates are fulfilling key roles within our company.”
Recruiting for the newest class of apprentices has begun under the watchful eye of Ericka Luneau, director of human resources for Koenig & Bauer (US/CA). She and her team will be visiting Texas State Technical College (TSTC) campuses with Employer Spotlight Visits and job fairs speaking to students in various degree programs such as Industrial Systems, Wind Energy Technology, Aviation, and Mechatronics.
“We are open to developing relationships with technical colleges outside of Texas to provide this opportunity to their students and graduates, especially in the Northeast and upper Midwest regions, as our service technicians are based throughout the United States,” says Luneau. “For 2026, our focus is on sourcing mechanic apprentices.”
Since its inception, the program has adapted to both the apprentices and the company. The program has increased from 24 to 28 months. In addition to taking German language classes in Germany, the apprentices now attend weekly virtual German language classes and a two-week, in-person class with a German language instructor before they leave for Germany. They still live, train, and work in Germany for a period of one-year, generally in two six-month periods. Their time in Germany includes attending classes at the Apprenticeship School at Koenig & Bauer’s factory learning basic skilled trades, attending classes at its world-renowned Training Center where they learn about printing on the firm’s popular equipment, and working in the Assembly Hall from pre-assembly to final assembly. This training in Germany is supplemented with field training in the U.S. with mentors.
Graduates of the program praise it for its structured training and hands-on experience. Kaitlin Sullivan, the program’s first graduate, was trained as a service technician/electrician. She worked for nearly five years in the field and was based in Chicago. Earlier this year she accepted a new position as a remote support specialist where she is based at the Dallas headquarters. “My apprenticeship really prepared me for my career, giving me knowledge in all aspects of the printing industry, and being able to effectively support our customers,” says Sullivan. “I really enjoy being part of the team effort at Koenig & Bauer and proud to be the next generation of skilled professionals in the printing industry.”
Another early graduate was Flavio Tello-Saenz, who currently is one of the firm’s top service technicians/electricians. After graduating from the program, he began working as a field electrician technician based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. “The hands-on experience that I gained during the apprenticeship program really helped me out once I started working in the field,” he says. “I was able to gain in-depth knowledge of Koenig & Bauer’s state-of-the-art equipment and technology. While I still work as a field technician, I have been able to build a tremendous knowledge of our customers and their specific needs. In my current role, I handle electrical troubleshooting, parts programming, and updates to system software.”
“In today’s competitive environment, programs like this are more important than ever—not just for developing skills, but for fostering long-term commitment and innovation,” says Talbert. “Most importantly, it helps us ensure we have the skilled expertise needed to continue delivering excellent support and service to our customers. We see this initiative continuing to evolve and grow as a key part of our talent strategy moving forward.”