Continental Opens Training Center in Gifhorn

Hanover, Germany- Continental AG., an German automotive parts manufacturing company, has opened its own training center for employees in Gifhorn. It is the 13th training location the company has set up across Germany since launching its CITT training institute (Continental Institute for Technology and Transformation) in 2019. The opening ceremony on September 25, 2023, was attended, among others, by labor minister Hubertus Heil and the Second Chairperson of IG Metall, Christiane Benner.

Hubertus Heil (SPD), Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, said that, “As a result of social and technical advancements, the workplace is changing quickly. Everyone engaged needs to take audacious and responsible action in this. A shining example of how a socially just transition may be developed with boldness and tenacity is Continental's "from work to work" campaign. The workers of today are preparing for the jobs of future right here in Gifhorn. This will protect jobs and industry in the area, which pleases me in my capacity as Minister of Labor and a Bundestag member with ties to the area.”

The Gifhorn location's Continental staff will receive training to meet both Stiebel Eltron's and the local labor market's needs. At Continental's Gifhorn plant, Stiebel Eltron intends to build a stainless steel cylinder manufacturing factory for heat pump heating systems. In light of this, Continental and Stiebel Eltron have agreed to take over manufacturing and functional sectors by signing a letter of intent. Continental declared in July 2023 that it would cease conducting operations at the site by the end of 2027.

Dr. Ariane Reinhart, Continental Executive Board member for Human Relations and Sustainability said that, The training provided by the CITT is a crucial component of giving employees in Gifhorn opportunities. It is still our steadfast desire to transition as many of our employees as possible from work to work.

The deal with Stiebel Eltron is the first significant outcome of Continental's "from work to work" effort, which aims to facilitate a smooth transition for employees to a new career either within Continental or on the outside job market through proper training. Continental is now in discussions with a number of businesses to do this.

Christiane Benner, Second Chairperson of IG Metall and Vice Chairperson of Continental’s Supervisory Board said that, As a labor union, training, certification, and future possibilities in local regions are a crucial problem for us. We have made a lot of effort to demonstrate to the Gifhorn staff the possibility of transformation through training. With the CITT, we are establishing the groundwork for this.