Singapore: Taiwan-based drug delivery company, SHL, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) to mark the official start to a Swiss apprentice program in Taiwan.

The renowned technology university is partnering with SHL to educate, train and ultimately employ a select group of students who will become CNC machining specialists when they graduate. A key driver of the program is to support the growing need for highly qualified CNC personnel and to help cope with the demands of SHL's overseas customers. SHL has embarked on an hiring program over the last 24 months and is now investing more resources into training programs, especially apprentice and mentoring programs.

Mr Ulrich Faessler, director, SHL, said that, "Each year approximately 15 students will join this program and once they complete it they will become qualified specialists. That is what we need and that is why we have modeled this training program after the apprentice programs that have been so successful in Switzerland. Some of the best tool makers and CNC operators in the world come from that region and similar apprenticeships."

In addition to theoretical studies and training that will take place on campus at NTUT, students will receive practical training at SHL's state-of-the-art facilities under the direction of experienced CNC operators and tool makers from both Europe and Taiwan. The program will take four years to complete and all apprentices will also be able to obtain a bachelor degree. In addition, the Mucha Vocational High School (MCVS), well known for its tooling and CNC training, will help to provide suitable candidates for this apprentice program at NTUT.

Mr Roger Samuelsson, CEO, SHL, said that, "SHL's manufacturing base for drug delivery devices is primarily Taiwan, and it is the company's goal to help give back to the communities in which we operate, by cooperating with the local government, educational institutions and so on. These apprenticeship students will get to work on some of the most advanced tooling and CNC equipment in the world at SHL and get involved with projects worth millions of dollars."