Dow Chemical Pulls the Plug on 2025/2026 Apprentice Cohort Amid Cost-Saving Measures
Apprenticeship program halted due to lack of funds. - Annual Azubi program by Dow canceled due to financial limitations
Listen up! The chemical behemoth, Dow, has thrown a curveball. Dow ain't hiring new apprentices this year at its Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony locations, including Schkopau and Böhlen. Yep, you read it right. After some deep thinking, Dow's decided to stubbornly suspend the incoming apprentice crew for 2025/2026. Remember, the folks at "Mitteldeutsche Zeitung" got a lowdown on this first.
Here's the dealio: A whopping 26 young'uns who were all set to start their apprenticeships in September are left in the lurch. Dow's behind this move for one simple reason – current penny pinching and uncertainty about future apprenticeship demands. The company's spokescreature said, "We're really bummed about the decision, but had to take it, thanks to a whole bunch of factors."
Dow's gonna help 'em out
Don't fret, existing apprenticeship deals are still gonna hang in there. Dow promised to join forces with the works councils and aid the affected candidates in their hunt for alternative apprenticeships. They're also got their fingers crossed with the Federal Employment Agency and the Chambers of Industry and Commerce.
The future of the plants hangs in the balance - review pending
The decision's based on a review of Dow's central European production facilities, including those in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. Back in springtime, Dow started stressing about their chlor-alkali and vinyl plants in Schkopau, as well as the steam cracker in Böhlen. These plants produce chemical basic materials from crude oil, and Dow had issues with high energy and raw material prices, as well as growing market over capacity.
No final call yet, folks. The company hopes to snag some results by mid-2025.
- Dow Inc.
- Schkopau
- Chemical Industry
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Crisis
- Mitteldeutsche Zeitung
Additional Info:
- Dow Inc. is working a broad cost-cutting strategy aiming for $1 billion in annual savings by 2026. This includes looking into potential asset sales and infrastructure deals[2][4][5].
- Dow Inc. is having a rough time tackling global demand, especially in Europe and China, which could influence its decisions regarding facilities worldwide[5].
- The company is targeting improvement in operational efficiency and profitability through these cost-cutting measures[4]. However, specific details about the Schkopau and Böhlen facilities are scarce in the given info[2][5].
Dow Inc., in the midst of a broad cost-cutting strategy aiming for $1 billion in annual savings by 2026, has decided not to hire new apprentices for the 2025/2026 cohort at its Schkopau and Böhlen facilities in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, as part of the cost-saving measures. The company is, however, planning to cooperate with the works councils to help the affected apprentices find alternative vocational training opportunities.
In light of the review of its central European production facilities, Dow is facing challenges due to high energy and raw material prices, growing market overcapacity, and global demand issues in Europe and China. While a final decision about the future of the Schkopau and Böhlen facilities is yet to be made, the company aims to make some decisions by mid-2025. To finance these strategies, the company may consider potential asset sales and infrastructure deals.
