Earn and Learn: Upskilling is key in any career journey
The BASF site in Little Island, Cork, where apprenticeships are part of the company’s deep commitment to continuing education.
Headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, BASF is the largest diversified chemical company in the world, with close to 112,000 employees.
Its international expansion, which began in the 1960s, saw it setting up presences across Europe, South America, Australia Asia and elsewhere. Today the products it manufactures are sold almost everywhere.
In 2010, BASF acquired a site in Cork to manufacture specialty chemicals for the mining industry. To this day, Little Island is the sole manufacturing location for its LIX® family of reagents. These are parts of chemical reactions that are used in the recovery of metals from ores; the prime ones being copper and nickel.
Along with marketing its products to the agricultural sector and to leading players in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, BASF counts amongst its customers, companies in the cosmetics, plastics, nutrition and speciality chemicals sectors.
Today, a team of more than 60, is based at the Little Island site, which has a long history of production. In fact, this year sees the site celebrating 50 years in Cork. First established by General Mills, it was later purchased by Henkel and Cognis, before being acquired by BASF in 2010.
That some BASF employees have been working on that same site for more than three decades, is indicative of the German chemical company’s commitment to supporting livelihoods in the region.
While BASF is perhaps best known for petrochemicals, its business interests are many and vast. While its agricultural products include herbicides, fungicides and biological crop protection products, its industrial output includes pigments, resins and antioxidants. There’s more of course, including leasing, engineering and commodity trading.
Asked why BASF is a great place to work, head of production, Dr Sebastian Emmerling, replies: “Because here, there’s a strong belief in upskilling and in lifelong learning, everybody is encouraged to grow during their professional careers. Whether they come in as a paid apprentice or as a young graduate, they’re given the opportunity to explore new avenues.”
Explaining that this might entail taking on new challenges within BASF every couple of years, he says: “If that is their wish, then that is possible. There are always many avenues open here. If you’re someone who wouldn’t want much change, then that’s good as well. There’s room for both at BASF and we need both. Here, it is a matter of each person finding their spot.”
We talk then about apprenticeships, with Dr Emmerling confirming that at BASF they earn while they learn: “We currently have just one apprentice in our lab here in Cork and we have others in fitter and electrician apprenticeships,” he says. “Here in Cork, most of our apprenticeships are in the area of crafts.”
Asked about what tends to happen when an apprenticeship ends, he replies: “We try to align our apprenticeships with where there may be a future need for skills within the company. If there is no fit with us at the end of the apprenticeship, we are happy to have provided a young person with the opportunity to get a first qualification, even if they choose to join a different company after that.
“We understand that employees are more mobile nowadays and that they are more willing to try something new instead of staying with the same employer for their whole career. Not every business in the Cork area has the resources to bring in apprentices. By taking on apprentices, we support those businesses by making sure that there are more qualified people on the job market.”
Asked about what BASF looks for in the hiring process, Dr Emmerling replies: “During the interview process, we look for future potential and leadership traits. Learning is seen as a virtue here so we’re often looking for that appetite to develop and grow within the company.”
As for how BASF tackles the battle of recruiting the best talent in a competitive marketplace, he says: “There is competition in the Cork area, but there is also a lot of expansion going on at many of the sites. At BASF, we make a totally compelling offer that goes beyond just salary. Talented people come to us, because they know that if they wish, they can upskill with us, relocate with us, and have lots of different experiences during the course of their career.”
When he joined BASF 13 years ago, the idea of taking one job and being there until retirement did not appeal. “I am curious,” he says. “Someone who likes to explore. BASF promised me ample opportunities to explore and then delivered on that promise.”
Dr Emmerling has a track record of embracing change all by himself. Before joining BASF, he studied not only at Germany’s University of Mainz, but also at South Korea’s Seoul National University. Then two years ago, he moved with BASF from Germany to Ireland.
As he talks, it’s clear that he loves his work and is inherently happy living in Cork. Also, that he very much values the excellent experiences he has at BASF.
“Here, I have always had plenty of opportunities to explore new areas,” he says. “This has allowed me to grow so much on a personal level. Whenever I venture into new directions at work, I have been trusted to contribute to the growth of the business. BASF took care of me as it does all of its people. I was always given the opportunity to go ahead.”
Our conversation turns then to the wanderlust that pertains, especially among twentysomethings, and Dr Emmerling says: “With a presence in almost every country including Canada, the US and Australia, BASF is particularly well suited to those seeking to work across the globe.”
As for his advice to those hoping to work at BASF?
“Stay curious and open minded,” he replies. “New doors open all the time and opportunities come up. Every once in a while, step out of your comfort zone and try something new.”
