Rheinböllen, July 2, 2026 – When Condrad Sekgwathe and Nicholas Maphane arrived in Rheinböllen for a three-week internship in spring 2023, they could hardly have imagined that just a few years later they would welcome Elke Büdenbender to their workplace. Today, both work as mechatronics technicians at HAHN Automation Group, and their story has become a powerful example of the success of the VDMA initiative "Skilled Workers for Africa."
To mark this occasion, Elke Büdenbender, lawyer and wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, visited the HAHN Automation Group site in Rheinböllen on July 1, 2026. She was accompanied by Verena Thies, Vice President of the VDMA, John-Thomas Dipowe, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to Germany, and other VDMA representatives. As patron of the VDMA initiative "Skilled Workers for Africa," which ran from 2014 to 2024, she visited HAHN Automation Group to learn more about the initiative's long-term impact by speaking with Condrad Sekgwathe and Nicholas Maphane, who are now valued members of the HAHN team.
Vocational Education as a Foundation for International Careers
The VDMA initiative "Skilled Workers for Africa" supported the development of hands-on industrial vocational training programs in several African countries. Together with the Government of Botswana, a modular mechatronics training program was established. Condrad and Nicholas were among the first graduates of this program.
Following their internship at HAHN Automation Group in 2023, both were offered permanent positions and now work in mechanical assembly at the company's Rheinböllen facility.
Both credit their successful transition to Germany to the education they received in Botswana.
“The program in Botswana prepared us extremely well. We already worked according to German standards, learned using German technical manuals, and documented every step of our work.”
What impressed them most was the scale of the automation systems and the highly automated manufacturing processes. They were particularly fascinated by seeing how a digital design gradually evolves into a fully functioning machine.
From Interns to Colleagues
Starting a new life in Germany also came with challenges. To this day, the German language remains the biggest hurdle. While both now understand most conversations in their daily work, responding in German can still be difficult at times. At the same time, they emphasize the continuous support they receive from their colleagues.
There was no single moment when they felt they had fully arrived. Instead, becoming part of the team has been a gradual process shaped by mutual support, shared customer projects, and growing trust.
"Colleagues during the day, friends in the evening."
For Pascal Tailliar, Head of People & Culture at HAHN Automation Group, this is the true success of the initiative. "The remarkable part of this story is not that two young people came to Germany for an internship. The remarkable part is that they stayed, continued to grow professionally, and have become an integral part of our team."
At the same time, their development highlights the value of practical vocational education. "We did not hire Condrad and Nicholas because they come from Botswana. We hired them because they convinced us with their professional skills. Their story demonstrates that high-quality vocational education can create internationally comparable qualifications."
Creating Opportunities Together
Following the exchange with Condrad and Nicholas on the shop floor, the guests gathered for a joint discussion. The conversation focused on the importance of vocational education, international cooperation, and the successful integration of skilled professionals.
"High-quality vocational education also strengthens social cohesion because it enables participation and opens up new opportunities for the future," emphasized the wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
For HAHN Automation Group, the story of Condrad and Nicholas also illustrates the value that international educational partnerships can create, particularly for companies located outside major metropolitan areas.
Jörn Trierweiler, Member of the Management Board of HAHN Automation Group, explained:
"Especially in rural regions, it is essential to leverage every opportunity to secure skilled talent. Our own apprenticeship programs remain the foundation of our workforce development. At the same time, the story of Condrad and Nicholas demonstrates that international educational partnerships can create real added value. The key is to give talented people opportunities and support them throughout their journey."
For Condrad and Nicholas, their own experience also carries an important message for young people—both in Botswana and in Germany. "Vocational education can open doors you never expected."
