Careers: FAQs and your questions
Here you will find frequently asked questions about the subject of jobs and applying for a job at RKW along with the answers from our HR department. If you are unable to find the information you are looking for in the FAQs, then simply send us your question and we will be happy to advise you personally.
Your application at RKW
All our vacant positions can be found in the job portal on our career page. Please upload your application documents including CV, cover letter and relevant certificates on our application portal.
First there is an acknowledgement of receipt, followed by a review of the documents by the Human Resources (HR) department and the future supervisor. We will get back to you very promptly, but please be patient: we want to do this thoroughly and this can sometimes take some time.
An application is always also about getting to know each other. Not only do we at RKW want to get to know you as well as possible, but we also want to present ourselves as a company as transparently as possible so that both sides get a good impression of each other.
Therefore we rely on a multi-stage process. First you will receive an invitation for a telephone or Skype interview. In addition to the HR department, the relevant department will also take part in these interviews. The next step in the application process is then a personal interview at one of our locations - also with HR, the department and, if applicable, colleagues from the team.
Why RKW?
The dynamics of a global player with the DNA of a family-owned company - that is RKW. We are a large team of more than 3000 colleagues at 19 locations worldwide. With us there are no jobs, but real tasks - for job starters as well as for specialists and executives. With us you will become a world discoverer. You will be encouraged and can develop in a variety of ways: On site with you or internationally, at one of our locations worldwide. This is what our Leadership Standards stand for - We develop our talents.
Dual Study Program
A Dual Study Program combines university education with practical experience at RKW.
With a Dual Study Program at RKW, you immediately embark on your career path. You learn while being able to apply everything in practice. You also establish important contacts and set the course for your professional future. The Dual Study Program can take different forms, depending on the RKW location: You will either alternate between working at the company and studying at the university in three-month blocks or you will attend university on certain days every week.
At university, you will study in small classes and work through the course content in workshops and seminars. You learn from proven experts with long-standing professional experience. Later on, during the practical phase at the company, you will have the opportunity to build on the theoretical knowledge acquired at university. With a work-based degree, you not only gain all the necessary knowledge at a high level within the shortest space of time, but also develop personally and enhance your social skills. As a result, you will receive industry-recognized professional preparation for specialist and management roles within the company at an early stage.
At Michelstadt, the business administration course, specializing in industry, is offered in conjunction with Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW). You have the option to prepare for the work-based degree by completing a “0” semester at DHBW Mosbach. You can find further information here.
At Echte, you can take a Bachelor of Administration degree (in partnership with Berufsakademie Göttingen) and Bachelor of Engineering degree (with Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts). You can find further information here.
At Petersaurach, a business administration course is offered, specializing in trade and industry supply chain management. You will graduate as a Bachelor of Arts. You can find further information here.
At Michelstadt, you will alternate between working at RKW and studying at DHBW Mosbach in three-month blocks.
At Echte, there are certain days of the week on which you will study.
While studying for the Bachelor of Administration degree, you will spend time working in various departments at RKW, including buying, shipping, production planning and management, sales, controlling, and human resources. In the process, you will be familiarized with all aspects of the different roles and quickly take them on independently. In addition to the practical training, you will complete a demanding degree course at Berufsakademie Göttingen. The examination leading to a qualification as an industrial management assistant will be taken at the IHK after the first two years. This will ultimately lead to you gaining two recognized qualifications within the space of three years.
If you wish to become a Bachelor of Engineering, you will study production engineering at Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Alongside the first study phase, you will also undertake a two-year training period leading to a qualification as a process technician for plastics and rubber engineering, which ends with the IHK examination. From the fifth semester (second study phase), you will study full-time and ultimately write your bachelor’s thesis at RKW. You will thus gain two recognized qualifications within the space of three and a half years.
At Petersaurach, you will spend 20 hours gaining practical experience at the company and a further 20 hours studying at the iba University of Cooperative Education in Nuremberg.
There is a group of trainers at RKW, each of whom supervise their specialist area. Once you have specialized in a particular area, you will be given a named supervisor for each area.
The start dates depend on the location. In Michelstadt and Petersaurach, the work-based degree starts on October 1, while in Echte it begins on August 1.
The partner for Michelstadt is DHBW Mosbach. Echte works with Berufsakademie Göttingen and Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. In Petersaurach, the study phase takes place at the iba University of Cooperative Education in Nuremberg.
The following qualities are the ideal entry requirements for Dual Study Program at RKW:
- A general higher education entrance qualification with good to very good grades, especially in mathematics, German, and English
- An interest in economic relationships
- A high level of resilience and commitment
- Motivation, a willingness to learn, and communication skills
A monthly training salary is paid at all RKW locations as part of the work-based degree. In addition, RKW covers any education fees.
The bachelor’s degree takes between three and three and a half years, depending on the subject studied. After that, you can either immediately embark on your professional career or continue studying for a master’s degree.
Internship and working student activity
Yes, we offer working student activities and internships at our various locations. The vacant positions are advertised on our career page. If you do not find a suitable position, you are welcome to send us an unsolicited application via the careers page.
Yes, it is possible to work full-time during the semester breaks. In this case you should discuss the details with your supervisor.
Apprenticeship at RKW
RKW provides training in Petersaurach, Michelstadt, Wasserburg, Gronau/Nordhorn, and Echte.
Here you will find a list of all professions at RKW.
Each RKW location has different dates by which your application must be submitted. If you are unable to find the relevant information in the job ad, please ask for specific details using our contact form.
Once we have received your completed application via our career portal, there will be an interview in person. You can then also come to RKW for a trial day. This will allow both parties to find out whether training at RKW is the right move.
You have very good opportunities! Everybody receives training in every profession at RKW, irrespective of their gender, because it is your motivation and commitment that count here.
It is important to submit a full application with a compelling letter, your CV, and your most recent references. In addition, you can make a particularly good impression with your internship reports.
At RKW, we take care of you from the very first day of training. During the so-called induction days, you will be given all the necessary information, together with your training plan. In addition, you will learn how to find your way around the company and network with other trainees. At some locations, you will also be assigned a mentor, who you can speak to at any time if you have any questions or problems.
Yes, there is always a named trainer, regardless of the profession for which you are being trained.
That differs depending on the location and profession for which you are being trained.
RKW provides apprenticeships with the aim of offering apprentices a permanent position afterwards! For many of our colleagues, training at RKW has marked the start of a brilliant career. After your training, for example, we help you gain additional qualifications as a master in your profession, engineer, or business management specialist. Many of our current managers began their professional careers with an apprenticeship at RKW.
Temporary and vacation jobs
RKW offers temporary and vacation work at various locations to support the main workforce in a wide range of areas. A vacation job is especially helpful if you wish to train or study for a work-based degree at RKW. You should ideally submit a speculative application to your preferred location.
Technical understanding, an interest in business processes, and basic IT skills are advantageous, depending on the area in which you will be working. Good knowledge of English is also helpful in one or two areas. You should definitely enjoy hands-on work.
Of course! You will gain valuable practical experience. Depending on where you work, you may be involved in commercial activities or operating machinery.
Definitely. RKW has locations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. Close cooperation between the locations takes place not only digitally, but also locally. We expect that you will enjoy gaining experience of working abroad – and building up our network of expertise for the future with RKW professionals worldwide. #rightplace
At RKW, you can immediately launch your career after graduating – or gain additional experience as a trainee. Whichever route you choose, you can expect more than just interesting roles and the opportunity to work abroad. We also guarantee an intensive induction (for immediate career starters) individually tailored to your needs or provide a high-quality two-year trainee program.
Here you can find out more about launching your RKW career after graduating.
Others
E-mail addresses are given in the job advertisements. Alternatively, you can directly send us an email via career@rkw-group.com.
Both is possible. We are very pleased to receive unsolicited applications - that's why our job portal has corresponding "jobs" advertised at the respective locations. If you are interested in working abroad, please let us know in your cover letter. And of course it is also possible to apply for several positions at the same time.
At RKW all doors are open to you even without a degree. We individually evaluate which overall package of professional experience you bring with you. Nevertheless, the following courses of study are very much in demand with us: computer science, engineering, energy, environmental and process engineering, economics, business administration, law, economics, social sciences.
As a globally active company, cooperation across national borders is part of our everyday work - which does not mean that every employee has to travel the whole world. In fact, in most cases the exchange of information takes place electronically - for example via video conferences. But if you would like to gain experience abroad, RKW is an employer with 19 locations in North America, Europe, North Africa and Asia - which means there are plenty of opportunities to grow together.
Do you have a question about your application?
Get in touch with us and we will then contact you in person. Please complete the form (the fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory). We will get back to you at the earliest opportunity.