An interview with our instructor Arne Sonnenschein Insights into the Apprenticeship as an Electronics Technician for Automation Technology (m/f/d)

Arne Sonnenschein lives and breathes technology: even as a child, he dismantled everything he could get his hands on. Today, he brings that passion to his role as an instructor at Coroplast Tape, where he mentors apprentices in automation technology. His approach goes beyond teaching tech-nical skills—he aims to support and empower young people on their journey. In this interview, he shares what makes this field so exciting and the unique opportunities offered by an apprenticeship at Coroplast Tape.

Arne, how do you explain this profession to someone who has no idea what it’s about?

Basically, an automation technician is an electronics technician who maintains, repairs, and optimizes systems. But there’s an important addition: working with control technology and complex systems. Programming and working on the computer are central parts of the job—they’re essentially our main tools.

And what makes this field particularly exciting for you?

The variety. No day is like the other: sometimes we have relaxed phases for larger projects, and other times we spend days chasing down a stubborn malfunction. There are simple issues that are solved in two minutes and highly complex problems that really challenge you. That mix is what makes the job so interesting.

That does sound exciting. What qualities should apprentices bring to the table?

Flexibility, patience, and a healthy dose of curiosity. If you enjoy diving into complex topics and don’t give up easily, this is the right place for you. Technical interest is important, but so is the willingness to keep learning and stick with it.

Arne tests whether the machine is still running. — Arne is always searching for motivated talents who have an interest in technology.

How do you figure out in an interview whether someone has the right mindset?

A magician never reveals his tricks, but: I ask a few casual questions to find out how much applicants have already engaged with the profession. For example, whether they have a rough idea of what to expect and what tasks are involved. It’s especially positive if they’ve already gained some hands-on experience—whether in tech class, DIY projects with family, or tinkering with construction and experiment kits. That gives me a good sense of whether someone will enjoy the job and has the curiosity needed for technical topics.

What does your general application process look like?

First, there’s a pre-selection by our central HR department and an initial virtual interview. If that goes well, we follow up with an online test. Those who perform well are invited to an in-person interview—for electrical professions at Coroplast Tape, I’m the responsible instructor. If that goes well too, we invite them for a trial workday. If everything fits, we make an offer.

What was it like for you back then? Were you always curious and passionate about technology?

Absolutely. As a kid, I was always taking things apart and putting them back together. Someday, my parents gave me my first construction kit, and soon after, I was experimenting with real electronics. After an internship with an electrician, I knew: this is my path. I trained as an electronics technician for industrial engineering, then earned my master craftsman certification to combine technical expertise with personnel responsibility. Since spring 2021, I’ve been able to combine my two passions at Coroplast Tape: exciting technology and working with young people. That’s why I feel completely at home in my role.

Sounds like you’ve found your calling. What excites you most about being an instructor?

Seeing young people grow. They start out almost like kids, and after a few years, they’re technically skilled and personally mature. Being part of that journey is incredibly fulfilling. At the same time, it’s also about reminding them of basic things like punctuality, reliability, and motivation. In a way, you’re not just an instructor—you’re also a bit of a mentor. That’s what makes the role so diverse.

What do you value most as an instructor?

Reliability and initiative. Motivation is key. No one needs to know everything, but they should show that they want to learn and apply what they’ve learned in practice.

Arne zeigt einem Auszubildenden, wie man eine Messung an einer Maschine vornimmt. — Arne attaches great importance to the transfer of theory and practice.

Take us through a typical training day…

We start the morning with a short meeting in the workshop. Then it’s on to the tasks: maintenance, machine optimization, programming, pulling cables, or troubleshooting. From day one, apprentices are full-fledged team members and can immediately see the impact of their work.

Many young people probably wonder: Is this a future-proof profession? Especially with developments like AI.

I’m convinced that systems will always need to be maintained and repaired, no matter how automated they become. And people will remain irreplaceable—especially because systems are becoming more complex. AI is a helpful tool—we use it, for example, to detect malfunctions faster and fix errors. So yes, I firmly believe this profession will remain relevant for a long time.

Let’s talk about Coroplast Tape: What makes the apprenticeship here so special?

It starts even before day one. Our apprentices are invited to team events and receive a tablet as a welcome gift. But the real highlight is the day-to-day work: we have modern robotics and coating systems where you can learn an incredible amount. The apprenticeship is very hands-on, and those who are motivated have exciting development opportunities with us. We also support our apprentices in theory—with learning software, small tests, and practice tasks. That helps them solidify their knowledge and work on their weaknesses.

Portrait Arne Sonneschein — From the very beginning, apprentices at Coroplast receive close supervision and are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

In your free time, you play soccer. Are there parallels between the field and your job as an instructor?

Definitely. In a team, you have to work together despite different personalities to win. It’s the same for us: in the end, what matters is that the systems run smoothly. If they do, we’ve “scored our goal.”

And finally: What advice would you give your younger self in the first year of the apprenticeship?

Absorb as much knowledge as possible. That’s the foundation everything else is built on. And remember: there are no stupid questions.

31 years old
Lives in Wuppertal
Trained as an electronics technician for industrial engineering, later earned a master craftsman certification in electrical engineering
Hobbies: soccer, tennis, mountain biking, jogging
Arne in three words: empathetic, reliable, experienced

Thanks for the great insights, Arne!

Your contact person Careers – Apprenticeship & dual studies

Would you like to know more about internships for pupils, apprenticeships or dual study at Coroplast? You are welcome to contact us at any time.

Vera Mummel

Expert Young Talents