Senior HR Specialist - Apprenticeship & Vocational Training (m/f/d)

ESMC; Dresden; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

ESMC in Dresden seeks a Senior HR Specialist for Apprenticeship & Vocational Training to lead the end-to-end apprentice journey, design dual-training plans, and coordinate with Berufsschulen, IHK, and Works Council.

You will mentor Gen-Z apprentices, ensure BBiG compliance, and help build Europe’s first advanced semiconductor talent pipeline in a fast-growing, international setting with opportunities to influence processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing vocational training programs in technical/industrial environments.
• Strong practical knowledge of BBiG, JArbSchG, BetrVG and IHK collaboration.
• Fluent German (C1/C2) for authorities and schools; good English (B2/C1) for internal liaison.

Responsibilities

• Talent attraction and recruitment for apprentices; manage applicant pipelines and interview the candidates.
• Onboarding and pastoral care; mentor apprentices and coordinate orientation phases.
• Design dual-training plans and rotations with Berufsschulen.
• Provide Train-the-Trainer support to Fab trainers on the floor.
• Ensure legal compliance with BBiG, JArbSchG and related laws.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with Betriebsrat, IHK, and vocational schools.
• Coordinate final exams and map post-graduation career pathways.

Skills

Pedagogical drive

German language

English language

Education

AdA-Schein (AEVO) certification

B.Sc./M.Sc. or Staatlich geprüfter Techniker with trainer license

Job description

European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) GmbH is the joint venture between TSMC, Bosch, Infineon and NXP. For the first time, global technology leader TSMC is building a semiconductor fab in the heart of Europe, offering cutting-edge manufacturing technologies for next-generation semiconductor products. ESMC represents a shared commitment to strengthening the European semiconductor ecosystem.

For our future fab in Dresden, we are looking for a highly motivated and committed:

Senior HR Specialist - Apprenticeship & Vocational Training (m/f/d)

Are you ready to strategically and pedagogically lead the end-to-end apprentice journey for Europe's newest, most advanced semiconductor facility?

As a Senior HR Specialist - Apprenticeship & Vocational Training (m/f/d) at ESMC in Dresden, you will move beyond standard administration to drive collaborative success across all core phases of our technical vocational education. You will be the architect of our future talent pipeline - managing employer branding at schools, coordinating dual-training plans, mentoring Gen-Z apprentices, and ensuring legal compliance.

Fitting into our fast-paced greenfield environment, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the next generation of microtechnology and industrial specialists from the ground up!

Job Responsibilities

• Talent Attraction & Recruitment: Design and execute targeted school marketing strategies, represent ESMC at career fairs, manage the applicant pipeline, conduct interviews, and issue apprenticeship contracts.
• Onboarding & Pastoral Care: Serve as the primary point of contact and dedicated mentor for future apprentices, coordinating orientation phases and providing continuous coaching.
• Training Curriculum Coordination: Design dual-training plans, manage internal rotations across manufacturing departments, and coordinate closely with local vocational schools (Berufsschulen).
• Train-the-Trainer Support: Provide ongoing pedagogical and structured guidance to our operational Fab trainers on the manufacturing floor.
• Legal Compliance: Ensure full operational compliance with the German Vocational Training Act (BBiG), the Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG), and other relevant educational laws.
• Key Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain excellent collaborative relationships with the local Works Council (Betriebsrat/JAV), vocational schools, and local chambers (IHK).
• Graduation & Placement: Coordinate final exam preparations, align with department managers to map out post-graduation career pathways, and handle transition contract processes.

Job Qualifications

Must-Have

• Certifications: Holder of the AdA-Schein (AEVO / Ausbildereignungsprüfung)-the mandatory qualification to train apprentices in Germany.
• Education: Academic degree (B.Sc./M.Sc.) or certified technical expert background (Staatlich geprüfter Techniker) with a verified trainer/tester license.
• Experience: 5+ years of professional experience managing vocational training programs within a technical, manufacturing, or industrial environment (e.g., semiconductor, automotive, automation, or chemical industries).
• Regulatory & Institutional Knowledge: Strong, practical experience working successfully with the IHK and a deep understanding of German legal frameworks (BBiG, JArbSchG, and BetrVG).
• Languages: Fluent German (C1/C2) is mandatory for official communications with authorities, schools, and parents. Strong English skills (B2/C1) are required for internal collaboration in our international corporate environment.
• Pedagogical Drive: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to motivate, resolve conflicts, and guide Gen-Z young adults through their personal and professional development.

Nice-to-Have

• Familiarity with cleanroom environments, semiconductor fab safety regulations, and the technical demands of Microtechnology (Mikrotechnologe/In).
• Experience setting up apprenticeship structures in a fast-growing, ramp-up corporate environment.

Why Join ESMC?

• Help build a completely new semiconductor manufacturing site in Europe.
• Work in a highly international environment with colleagues across Europe, Taiwan and the US.
• Shape processes instead of maintaining existing structures.
• Participate in global projects and cross-functional collaboration.

Each journey starts with a first step.

Joining ESMC at this early stage will provide you with the unique opportunity to actively shape the future of the fab in Dresden, boost your career and put your true potential to the test. You will be working in a fast paced, international startup environment whilst at the same time having access to the experience, talent, and resources of the largest and most advanced semiconductor manufacturer in the world, TSMC. You have ample opportunities to learn about TSMC Operations, Digital Transformation, and various advanced Facilities related topics, both in Taiwan and other sites around the world.

Behind the world’s most advanced technology are real people with real passion. Our success is fueled by our core values: Integrity, Commitment, Innovation and Customer Trust (ICIC).

At ESMC we believe in the power of inclusive leadership and passion. We demonstrate this in our commitment to our people vision: create an inclusive environment to inspire passion and enable the best in YOU.

It is the policy of ESMC to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, ethnic and national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.