Knappenschein

The Knappenschein , also known as the Knappenbrief , was a certificate of competence that was introduced in the German mining industry in the 1940s and served as proof of a completed miner's apprenticeship. The holder of a miner's license was a skilled mining worker and was allowed to carry out mining activities in his specialist area to a certain extent.

History and general basics

In 1940, the Reich Ministry of Economics officially recognized the apprenticeship as a "miner in coal mining". For ore mining, the apprenticeship "miner in ore mining" was recognized. In addition to the recognition of the apprenticeship as a miner, corresponding job profiles were published. In addition, the examination regulations for the apprenticeship trade were made binding. This was done for coal mining in 1940 and for ore mining in 1942. Through these measures, the training of apprentices to become miners was regulated by law and under uniform rules for the respective mining branches.

Squire training and examination

The miners' training lasted three years, of which at least one year took place in over-day training. During the training, the mountain apprentices were taught the legally stipulated training content. The training consisted of imparting practical skills and learning theoretical knowledge. The practical skills were imparted in the company, the theoretical knowledge in the vocational school. During the practical training, in addition to classic mining skills, some skills from other professions were also taught. So the apprentice learned to deal with simple toughness such as B. shovel and scraper , but also the use of machines and devices such as the reel and hammer drill. He learned, for example, the preparation and installation of the route extension and the erection of mountain walls and wooden pillars . The apprentice was also taught simple woodwork and masonry work. Furthermore, activities in underground mining as well as assembly work on ductwork and pipelines were mediated and assigned to him. At the end of the apprenticeship, the miners' examination took place. The examination was carried out in front of an examination committee, which consisted of five members (plant management, works council , supervisor , training manager and vocational school teacher). The test was divided into a skills test and a knowledge test. In the practical part of the examination, the mountain apprentice had to prove the skills he had learned on a given test task; he had to use the test task to show whether he had acquired the skills required for his job. In the theoretical part, he had to present the theoretical knowledge required for his profession. After passing the exam, the squire received his miner's license.

Structure and use of the Knappenschein

The miners' certificate was issued by the training company and given to the examinee after passing the exam. In ore mining, the examinee received two copies of the miner's letter. One copy was made in pocket size and one as a decorative leaf. In addition to the name and date of birth of the mountain apprentice, the training company and the date of the examination were listed on the miners' certificate. The miners' certificate was signed by the head of the mining authority and the mine director. Depending on the upper mining district, the miners' certificate was also signed by the chairman of the works council. The signature of the head of the mining office was also provided with the official seal. As a skilled worker, the miner was now allowed to carry out mining work in his area of activity. However, he was not yet allowed to do any independent work; this required further training and the acquisition of a permit . In 1976, the apprenticeship as a miner was replaced by the apprenticeship as a mountain mechanic. In the following year, the profession of miner and machine man was added as a further apprenticeship.

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p European Coal and Steel Community (ed.): Vocational training in iron ore mining in the countries of the Community. Luxembourg 1959, pp. 39, 47, 51-52, 66, 70-75, 85.
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o European Coal and Steel Community (ed.): The vocational training in hard coal mining in the countries of the Community. Luxemburg 1956, pp. 31, 47-50, 63-68, 72, 79, 80, 118-120.
↑ ^a ^b ^c Fritz Pamp: The Sterkrade colliery. The training center on the former coking plant site from 1938 to 1992. In: Osterfelder Bürgerring. (Ed.): Der Kickenberg, Osterfelder Heimatblatt. No. 20, Walter Perspektiven GmbH, Oberhausen September 2011, ISSN 1864-7294 , pp. 4-6.

Remarks

↑ The training in the underground area was only allowed to start at the age of 16, so the above-ground training could last up to two years if the apprentice had started the apprenticeship at the age of 14. (Source: European Coal and Steel Community (ed.): Vocational training in hard coal mining in the countries of the Community. )

[Quelle_1-1] ↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p European Coal and Steel Community (ed.): Vocational training in iron ore mining in the countries of the Community. Luxembourg 1959, pp. 39, 47, 51-52, 66, 70-75, 85.

[Quelle_2-2] ↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o European Coal and Steel Community (ed.): The vocational training in hard coal mining in the countries of the Community. Luxemburg 1956, pp. 31, 47-50, 63-68, 72, 79, 80, 118-120.

[Quelle_3-3] Fritz Pamp: The Sterkrade colliery. The training center on the former coking plant site from 1938 to 1992. In: Osterfelder Bürgerring. (Ed.): Der Kickenberg, Osterfelder Heimatblatt. No. 20, Walter Perspektiven GmbH, Oberhausen September 2011, ISSN 1864-7294 , pp. 4-6.

[Anm._EG_KS.-4] The training in the underground area was only allowed to start at the age of 16, so the above-ground training could last up to two years if the apprentice had started the apprenticeship at the age of 14. (Source: European Coal and Steel Community (ed.): Vocational training in hard coal mining in the countries of the Community. )