The profession of a metal merchant is not an official apprenticeship. A clear profile and obligatory contents of the apprenticeship have not existed so far; offers for further education have been limited. The Kaps-Foundation wants to support and promote young talents of the metal industry.

Those who work in the metal industry need qualifications

The challenges a metal merchant faces in an environment of limited resources are increasing, as our supply of raw materials can only be guaranteed in the future through efficient and competent handling of existing resources. Extensive technical know-how is equally important as knowledge of business management and economics.

The Hans-Joachim Kaps-Foundation was founded in May of 1997 in order to continue to guarantee the support of young, dedicated talents within the metal industry. The foundation wants to inspire an international and interdisciplinary exchange of know-how, improve the cooperation between production, trade, and recycling, and support young talents in the metal industry through (further) education.

The Hans-Joachim Kaps-Foundation arranges internships and opportunities to go abroad, and it assists with financial and material donations. The events of the Junior-support-program have been financially supported since 2002. The foundation created an audio-radio-system for factory tours, which makes the imparting of knowledge possible in noisy production halls. Moreover, the Kaps-Foundation connects companies participating in various exchange programs.

In cooperation with the Verein Deutscher Metallhändler e.V. (VDM), which is the Association of German Metal Merchants, the Kaps-Foundation has developed a special program to support the youth. A focus of this cooperation is the specific support of young academic talents.