With its new training center in Holzminden, Symrise creates ample room for learning, developing skills, and professional growth. On October 19, the company opens a modern learning facility at its headquarters dedicated to apprentices in five technical professions, with capacity for around 30 apprentices in these professions. Beyond this, Symrise offers around 20 administrative apprenticeships. The €1.7 million investment underscores Symrise's long-standing commitment to developing skilled professionals while strengthening the site's prospects.
Turning curiosity into capability
Learning technology, exploring ideas, and developing solutions with practical experience: Symrise’s training center brings modern technology and practical learning together. Spanning approximately 340 square meters, the facility combines hands-on training with classroom instruction. It provides space for collaboration, fresh ideas, and independent exploration. It also brings experienced professionals together with young people eager to shape the future.
The center can accommodate around 30 apprentices across five technical fields: industrial mechanics, electrical engineering for industrial operations, automation technology, technical product design, and chemical production. All training activities come together in one central, modern location, encouraging closer interaction and exchange among apprentices and tutors. Also, Symrise offers vocational training in administrative professions.
"Young people bring ideas, curiosity, and fresh perspectives to our company. We want to provide an environment where they can discover their talents, develop their abilities, and confidently shape their professional futures," says Dr Stephanie Cossmann, Member of the Board of Symrise for HR, Legal, Sustainability, and Labor Director. "With our new training center, we invest in people and their development. At the same time, we embrace our responsibility to the region and lay an important foundation for Symrise's long-term success."
Training that opens doors
For more than 60 years, Symrise has enabled young people to take their first steps into professional life. What started with five training programs in 2000 has grown into a diverse range of opportunities. Today, young talents at the Holzminden site can choose from 15 apprenticeship programs and two dual-study programs combining academic education with practical experience. The careers of former apprentices illustrate the lasting impact of this commitment. Of the apprenticeship cohorts recorded over the past 26 years, 490 graduates still work for Symrise today. Among them, 41 have progressed into leadership positions.
"Good vocational training offers so much more than technical expertise. It sparks enthusiasm, encourages initiative, and gives young people confidence in their own abilities," says Denise Bochmann, Head of Apprenticeships and Training at Symrise. "Our new center creates space for collaboration, developing fresh ideas, and inspiring learning. Personal guidance remains especially important to us. Our tutors support young talents as they gradually take on greater responsibility and grow beyond their own expectations."
Shaping the Future Together
The new center also adds to translating the Holzminden Site Vision 2035 into action. With this investment in people, the company plans the site's long-term development contributing to the ONE Symrise Strategy. Skilled professionals, cross-functional collaboration, and technological expertise provide essential foundations for innovation and sustainable growth. They help Symrise develop solutions for its customers and strengthen its long-term competitiveness.
The idea for the training center first emerged in 2022. Following extensive planning, construction began in November 2025. With the official opening on October 19, 2026, Symrise marks another milestone in developing young talent at its Holzminden site.
The new training center combines modern learning opportunities with personal guidance and long-term career prospects. In doing so, Symrise invests in the next generation of skilled professionals and in a successful future together.
