Training with perspective: tesa develops skilled talent for the technologies of tomorrow

• Investing in tomorrow's talent: Around 40 apprentices and dual students start in 2026 at the headquarters in Norderstedt and at the plants in Hamburg and Offenburg
• Permeable pathways: From lab technician to master's student, from apprentice to world skills championship in Shanghai – at tesa, apprenticeship, dual study, and master's programs build on each other
• Know-how for future technologies: Those who learn at tesa work on new technologies, digital processes, and the customer solutions of tomorrow

Norderstedt, July 28, 2026 – tesa, an international manufacturer of innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions, is strategically investing in tomorrow's skilled talent: In-house training is a central pillar of the long-term talent strategy – this is where expertise for new technologies, digital processes, and increasingly demanding customer requirements is developed. For the 2026 training year, the company welcomes around 40 new apprentices and dual students. At the headquarters in Norderstedt and at the plants in Hamburg and Offenburg, the young talents begin careers ranging from chemical laboratory technician to mechatronics engineer to IT specialist for system integration, as well as dual-study programs such as industrial engineering and data science. tesa does not view the first day of training as the beginning of a three-year contract, but rather as the starting point of a long-term professional development.

From apprentice to master's degree: Pathways that lead further

Those who complete their training at tesa can, with good performance, go on to a dual-study program within the company. tesa has been supporting this pathway for years and recently established it as a formal offering called Studyship, which applicants can now enter directly after high school. That this path is put into practice is illustrated by current examples: At headquarters, two dual students are continuing their Bachelor's in Data Science in a master's program at Hamburg University of Technology, still alongside tesa. At the Hamburg plant, a former chemical technician is pursuing her master's degree within the company after completing her bachelor's in process engineering. And at the Offenburg plant, a future electronics technician for industrial operations is planning to return as a dual student in electrical engineering after graduation. Before that, the reigning German champion in systems electronics will compete at WorldSkills in Shanghai in September – the world championship of vocational skills.

Such career pathways directly benefit the company's core business: Those who combine training, study, and practice at tesa know materials, production processes, and digital tools firsthand – and use that knowledge to develop product solutions tailored to the specific needs of customers.

"The technologies of tomorrow are created by people who bring curiosity, technical understanding, and the courage to try new things. These are exactly the talents we invest in at tesa. Our training and dual-study programs combine materials expertise, digitalization, and hands-on experience – and give young people the opportunity to take on responsibility early and co-create innovations that deliver real value to our customers," says Dr. Kourosh Bahrami, CEO of tesa SE.

Practical training, personal support

How practical tesa's training approach is also shows in its dual-study programs: For the industrial engineering program, the company will now partner with NORDAKADEMIE, whose dual-study model gives students significantly longer practical phases within the company.

Personal support begins on day one: During the welcome weeks, the young talents get to know their location and their teams through plant tours, team-building activities, and social projects in the neighborhood. Afterward, an experienced colleague accompanies them as a buddy. For this role, significantly more volunteers sign up each year than needed, including former dual-study students.

With the 2026 training cohort, tesa underscores its commitment to tomorrow's skilled talent and to career pathways that can begin and continue within the company.