Our former apprentice, Martin, has been with us since 01.08.2017. He gained valuable experience and made huge strides in the profession during those six instructive years. When Martin first started with us as an apprentice, he didn’t have a clue about barrel construction. However, he combined his apprenticeship with classes at the vocational school in Pöchlarn, Lower Austria, which was connected to the local boarding school.

Despite adverse conditions, such as completing the vocational school lessons remotely, which we partly had to squeeze in via hybrid learning in our meeting room, it all worked out well. He and his colleagues, Tobias Heim and Silas Feil, are now fully trained, energetic bachelors.

But the apprenticeship was not enough for Martin as he decided to complete his master’s course as soon as possible. The vocational school was then no longer in Austria, but in Kaiserslautern. This made everyday life easier, but evening classes and weekend courses were no less demanding. Then it was time for the exams which were held in Munich.

Waiting for the exam results was nerve-wracking, but at last we could celebrate. Under the strict supervision and assessment by other barrel makers, the formerly shy and reserved Martin succeeded in becoming a master of his craft.

We are very proud to have successfully accompanied our former apprentice through these ground- breaking years. Now he is one of the top qualified colleagues in his field and one of the few master coopers left in Germany.

We look forward to many more years together and congratulate our colleague, Martin, on the great success and development he has made professionally and personally. We hope that in the future even more young people will take this long but rewarding path and thus strengthen the foundation of the invaluable German craft industry.

Jonas Eder

Please introduce yourself briefly:

My name is Martin and I am 24 years old. I learned the profession of cooper and recently achieved the status of master craftsman. Working with wood and the art of making barrels and other wooden products has always fascinated me. In my spare time, I like to watch series or videos about my craft to keep up to date and learn new as well as old techniques.

How long have you been working at Eder?

I have been for the Eder company since August 2017. I started my apprenticeship here and have been working here ever since.

In which area do you work and what are your main tasks? How did you find out about the profession of cooper?

I work in the production area at Eder. My main tasks include building outdoor bathtubs and tree tubs. I am also involved in barrel production – both small barrels and doing repairs.

I came across the profession of cooper when I was looking for a school internship. During my research, I became very enthusiastic about the construction of barrels and therefore decided on this exciting profession.

Which tasks are particularly appealing to you/are particularly fun?

I find the challenge of building outdoor bathtubs and tree planters particularly appealing and fun. It requires precision and an imaginative approach. I also enjoy working on barrel projects, whether it is building smaller barrels or doing repairs. The craft skills required make this job particularly varied and never boring.

Are there any projects that have remained particularly memorable?

There are definitely a few. One was the production of a particularly large bathtub. The size and weight of the tub posed a great challenge. This project was particularly appealing to me because it showed how versatile and demanding our craft can be. I was very proud that we were able to complete this challenge.

How have your tasks at Eder changed over time?

My activities at Eder have evolved in many ways over time. In the beginning, during my apprenticeship, the focus was on the basics of the cooper trade. But over time, I have been given the opportunity to work on more and more demanding projects. Today I am involved in the production of bathtubs, tree planters and barrels. This variety of tasks has challenged me and expanded my craftsmanship. In addition, I have been able to increase my knowledge of woodworking and learn new techniques.

What made you decide to complete a masters course after you completed your apprenticeship? What experiences did you have and what did you learn?

The decision to attend a masters course is rooted in my passion for the craft. Ever since my school days, my goal has been to achieve the rank of master craftsman. Although further training in the craft was not included on the masters course, I wanted to deepen my knowledge of business management and aspects. During the course, I gained comprehensive insights into business management and administration specifically aimed at the skilled crafts sector.