SPIE AutoMate: Suddenly Adult - Insights from Three Years of Electrical Apprenticeship\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn the current episode of SPIE AutoMate, Liam Gradwohl speaks openly about his path to becoming an industrial electronics technician, his experiences in control cabinet construction, and his development from apprentice to contact person for younger colleagues. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Smartphone](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/260902_FOLGE4_Liam_Ausbildung_Blog_Header_1920x600.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFig.: SPIE AutoMate - the podcast for industrial automation \u00a9 SPIE AUTOMATION<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPfullendorf, October 5, 2026 – <\/strong>What comes after school? This question occupies many young people. The selection of apprenticeships is vast, but what a profession truly entails is usually only discovered by talking to people who practice it daily. In the current episode of SPIE AutoMate, Liam Gradwohl provides a personal insight into his apprenticeship as an industrial electronics technician at SPIE AUTOMATION. <\/p>From Hobby to Profession<\/strong>
Liam’s enthusiasm for technology began in his private life. Computers, electronics, and technical topics fascinated him from an early age. YouTube videos and the curiosity about how technical systems work ultimately led to the decision to start an apprenticeship in the electrical engineering field. When searching for an apprenticeship company, not only the technical orientation played a role for Liam. The personal environment was particularly crucial. The familiar atmosphere, respectful interaction, and openness in the application process ultimately tipped the scales for SPIE AUTOMATION. <\/p>The Leap into Professional Life<\/strong>
The transition from school to the working world inevitably brings changes. Especially the new structures and responsibilities were initially unfamiliar to Liam. Looking back, he describes the transition as a step into adulthood. New routines, more personal responsibility, and the experience of being part of a professional team have sustainably changed his view of work and personal development. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of good onboarding and a supportive environment, especially at the beginning of an apprenticeship. <\/p>Gathering Knowledge<\/strong>
Another focus of the podcast episode is the daily work in control cabinet construction. Liam vividly explains the tasks involved in the profession of an industrial electronics technician and how a functional control cabinet is created from a customer requirement. The process begins with the customer’s requirements. Planners then develop the technical solution and create corresponding circuit diagrams. Based on this, the necessary components are assembled, wired, and tested. The result is a control cabinet that reliably controls electrical processes and fulfills the desired function.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore information on control cabinet construction<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tResponsibility Grows with Experience
<\/strong>While apprentices at SPIE AUTOMATION are closely mentored at the beginning of their training, they gradually take on increasing responsibility for their own tasks and projects. Liam experiences this development daily. Today, he independently handles many tasks and also supports interns and younger apprentices. He finds this change of role particularly enriching. Passing on knowledge and seeing others benefit from his own experiences is one of the most rewarding experiences of his apprenticeship.<\/p>A Good Team is Half the Battle
<\/strong>An important success factor during an apprenticeship is the people in one’s immediate environment. Liam particularly highlights the support from his trainer, Manuel Schuler. Being able to ask questions, openly address challenges, and seek help when uncertain is a crucial part of his learning process. His personal motto is therefore: There are no stupid questions. Anyone willing to ask and learn will develop faster and gain confidence in handling new tasks. <\/p>How Important are STEM Subjects?<\/strong>
Many young people wonder if they need particularly good grades in mathematics or physics for a technical apprenticeship. Liam provides an encouraging answer. He states that less important than perfect grades for his application was an interest in technical contexts and a willingness to engage with the topics. Basic physics knowledge helps to better understand electrical processes. At the same time, his own story shows that technical competencies can be continuously built up during an apprenticeship. Motivation and willingness to learn from the start often play a greater role than top school grades.<\/p>From Apprentice to Mentor<\/strong>
Liam is particularly proud of the moments when he can pass on his knowledge to others. Whether interns, visitors, or younger apprentices: seeing others successfully apply something he has explained means true appreciation and success for him. These experiences have even sparked his interest in a future role as a trainer. He enjoys working with people, and he can well imagine accompanying young talents on their path in his professional future.<\/p>Just Do It
<\/strong>Finally, Liam addresses a message to all young people facing the decision for an apprenticeship. The fear of choosing the wrong path or the wrong employer is completely normal. He himself had similar thoughts. His advice is therefore: gain experience, use internships, and simply try things out. Not every decision has to be perfect. Clarity often only comes through practical insights and real experiences. Those who remain curious and take the first step gain valuable insights for their own future.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore information on career opportunities at SPIE AUTOMATION<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy it\u2019s worth listening in
<\/strong>SPIE AutoMate is aimed at anyone who wants to know how industrial automation is created in practice. The podcast provides insights into projects, challenges, and decisions that often happen in the background of day-to-day work but are crucial to project success. Whether automation technology, robotics, digitalization, workshop, purchasing, service, or project management: each episode offers a different perspective on the question of how good automation succeeds in industry.<\/p>All episodes of SPIE AutoMate<\/strong> are available on YouTube and Spotify.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t <\/div> <\/div> You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div> Unblock content<\/a> Accept required service and unblock content<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
In the current episode of SPIE AutoMate, Liam Gradwohl speaks openly about his path to becoming an industrial electronics technician, his experiences in control cabinet construction, and his development from apprentice to contact person for younger colleagues. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPfullendorf, October 5, 2026 – <\/strong>What comes after school? This question occupies many young people. The selection of apprenticeships is vast, but what a profession truly entails is usually only discovered by talking to people who practice it daily. In the current episode of SPIE AutoMate, Liam Gradwohl provides a personal insight into his apprenticeship as an industrial electronics technician at SPIE AUTOMATION. <\/p> From Hobby to Profession<\/strong> The Leap into Professional Life<\/strong> Gathering Knowledge<\/strong> Responsibility Grows with Experience A Good Team is Half the Battle How Important are STEM Subjects?<\/strong> From Apprentice to Mentor<\/strong> Just Do It Why it\u2019s worth listening in All episodes of SPIE AutoMate<\/strong> are available on YouTube and Spotify.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div>
Liam’s enthusiasm for technology began in his private life. Computers, electronics, and technical topics fascinated him from an early age. YouTube videos and the curiosity about how technical systems work ultimately led to the decision to start an apprenticeship in the electrical engineering field. When searching for an apprenticeship company, not only the technical orientation played a role for Liam. The personal environment was particularly crucial. The familiar atmosphere, respectful interaction, and openness in the application process ultimately tipped the scales for SPIE AUTOMATION. <\/p>
The transition from school to the working world inevitably brings changes. Especially the new structures and responsibilities were initially unfamiliar to Liam. Looking back, he describes the transition as a step into adulthood. New routines, more personal responsibility, and the experience of being part of a professional team have sustainably changed his view of work and personal development. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of good onboarding and a supportive environment, especially at the beginning of an apprenticeship. <\/p>
Another focus of the podcast episode is the daily work in control cabinet construction. Liam vividly explains the tasks involved in the profession of an industrial electronics technician and how a functional control cabinet is created from a customer requirement. The process begins with the customer’s requirements. Planners then develop the technical solution and create corresponding circuit diagrams. Based on this, the necessary components are assembled, wired, and tested. The result is a control cabinet that reliably controls electrical processes and fulfills the desired function.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/strong>While apprentices at SPIE AUTOMATION are closely mentored at the beginning of their training, they gradually take on increasing responsibility for their own tasks and projects. Liam experiences this development daily. Today, he independently handles many tasks and also supports interns and younger apprentices. He finds this change of role particularly enriching. Passing on knowledge and seeing others benefit from his own experiences is one of the most rewarding experiences of his apprenticeship.<\/p>
<\/strong>An important success factor during an apprenticeship is the people in one’s immediate environment. Liam particularly highlights the support from his trainer, Manuel Schuler. Being able to ask questions, openly address challenges, and seek help when uncertain is a crucial part of his learning process. His personal motto is therefore: There are no stupid questions. Anyone willing to ask and learn will develop faster and gain confidence in handling new tasks. <\/p>
Many young people wonder if they need particularly good grades in mathematics or physics for a technical apprenticeship. Liam provides an encouraging answer. He states that less important than perfect grades for his application was an interest in technical contexts and a willingness to engage with the topics. Basic physics knowledge helps to better understand electrical processes. At the same time, his own story shows that technical competencies can be continuously built up during an apprenticeship. Motivation and willingness to learn from the start often play a greater role than top school grades.<\/p>
Liam is particularly proud of the moments when he can pass on his knowledge to others. Whether interns, visitors, or younger apprentices: seeing others successfully apply something he has explained means true appreciation and success for him. These experiences have even sparked his interest in a future role as a trainer. He enjoys working with people, and he can well imagine accompanying young talents on their path in his professional future.<\/p>
<\/strong>Finally, Liam addresses a message to all young people facing the decision for an apprenticeship. The fear of choosing the wrong path or the wrong employer is completely normal. He himself had similar thoughts. His advice is therefore: gain experience, use internships, and simply try things out. Not every decision has to be perfect. Clarity often only comes through practical insights and real experiences. Those who remain curious and take the first step gain valuable insights for their own future.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/strong>SPIE AutoMate is aimed at anyone who wants to know how industrial automation is created in practice. The podcast provides insights into projects, challenges, and decisions that often happen in the background of day-to-day work but are crucial to project success. Whether automation technology, robotics, digitalization, workshop, purchasing, service, or project management: each episode offers a different perspective on the question of how good automation succeeds in industry.<\/p>