Double honor for carpentry apprentice: Top of the class and a design award

Carpentry apprentice Julian Frank received two awards upon completing his apprenticeship at the University of Stuttgart: With a grade of 1.3, he was named top of his class. His final project received an honorable mention in the “Die Gute Form” design competition. For trainer Alexandra Koberstein, his success shows what is possible when apprentices are challenged, supported, and entrusted with responsibility.

Julian Frank’s path into a skilled trade was anything but conventional. He worked as a technical product designer in the automotive industry for ten years.  Over time, he began to feel the desire to develop his ideas not just on the computer. “I wanted to combine my technical knowledge with creativity and actually build the things I design myself,” Frank explains. He made a deliberate choice to come to the University of Stuttgart: “Here, I can apply the knowledge I’ve gained in a highly technical industry while still having the freedom to do what I want.”

This combination of technical expertise and artistic creativity is reflected in his final project: Julian Frank designed a hi-fi cabinet made of solid ash wood with a three-dimensionally milled roller-shutter front. A rainbow-colored pattern runs across the front, sending a clear message of diversity. The implementation was technically challenging: The pattern had to be precisely milled, transferred to the roller shutter in three dimensions, and designed symmetrically across the entire surface. At the same time, the wood had to remain stable and the roller shutter had to retain its full functionality. He was able to resolve many unanswered questions through discussions with various departments at the university.

“Julian’s final project was a real challenge for the exam committee,” says Alexandra Koberstein. They even questioned whether the piece could actually be built. “We refused to let doubts stand in our way and were convinced Julian was capable of achieving something extraordinary. Together, we've explored boundaries, just as we should at a university.”

That Julian Frank came top of his class also holds special significance for Koberstein. Frank completed the academic portion of his apprenticeship at the Stuttgart Vocational School for Wood Technology. “We take great care to thoroughly convey the practical aspects of the curriculum and to bring the theory taught at vocational school to life,” says Koberstein. Carpentry is demanding, but apprentices are provided with intensive support. And this success story confirms the effectiveness of the training program.

The University of Stuttgart offers trainees more than just a traditional apprenticeship. In the carpentry workshop, they work on challenging projects for research and teaching, gain insight into laboratories and experimental setups, and take on responsibility early on. In the field of CNC technology, too, the training offered goes beyond the usual curriculum: The apprentices independently program and operate the two CNC machines, including a modern 5-axis machining center. “Those who take on responsibility and earn trust continue to grow both professionally and personally,” says Alexandra Koberstein. “That's why we deliberately place a lot of trust in our apprentices.”

Carpentry doesn't rely exclusively on traditional high school graduates, but rather on people who are truly committed to the craft. “For me, passion and enthusiasm are a better guarantee of success than qualifications alone,” says Koberstein. Diversity and openness are equally important to our training culture. Age, background, and previous career experience are irrelevant – what matters is team spirit, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to achieving excellence.

“What sets our apprenticeship program apart is working in a university setting with daily interaction with researchers and access to a wide range of support services,” says Christina Michalak, director of training at the University of Stuttgart. “Here, it's not just economic factors that shape day-to-day training; there's also room to help develop solutions to the major challenges of the future. This inspiring environment, combined with an open and supportive culture, makes studying at the University of Stuttgart a truly special experience.”

For Julian Frank, the two awards are, above all, a sign of recognition: “Without the university and the people in the carpentry workshop, this wouldn’t have been possible. You have to be given the opportunity to demonstrate what you’re capable of."