Young people in the phase of finding a career are currently nothing to envy. Many industries that have offered security and well-paid jobs for decades are in a state of upheaval, and digitalization, especially artificial intelligence, will make entire professional groups superfluous. Nothing seems certain anymore and nothing will be the same tomorrow as it is today. Almost nothing – because one thing is certain: people will always eat and drink. For this reason, skilled trades in the food industry are a future-proof and attractive option when choosing a career. Such as “Fruit Juice Technology Specialist”.
Fruit juice technology specialists produce fruit and vegetable juices, lemonades, syrups and fruit wines. Tasks include incoming goods inspections, pressing fruit or vegetables, storage, mixing mixed juices, filling, cleaning and laboratory work. What is special is the diversity of the profession. There are many work areas to get to know, from the receipt of goods to the finished bottle. Training to become a specialist in fruit juice technology is a state-recognized, usually three-year dual training occupation in accordance with the Vocational Training Act. The prerequisites are a good secondary school leaving certificate and an understanding of mathematics, physics and an interest in technology.
Training at Voelkel, Europe’s number one organic juice manufacturer
With almost 500 employees and a turnover of around 160 million euros, Voelkel is Europe’s largest 100% organic manufacturer. The family business, which is growing by double digits every year, is considered one of Germany’s “hidden champions”, because in recent years there has only been one direction in Pevestorf – and that is: steeply uphill. With its around 250 products, the “juice shop with a mission” has successfully taken the step out of the organic niche and is successfully conquering the food retail sector in Germany. Voelkel wants to double its sales by 2035. In recent years, extensive investments have been made in state-of-the-art and energy-efficient systems, and a further expansion of the plant has been decided. “In order to continue to grow, we are looking for people who share our passion for juicing, nature and the environment,” explains Jacob Voelkel, who is responsible for production, technology, storage, quality assurance and quality management in the management. The “passionate juice maker” began his career by training as a fruit juice technician and particularly appreciates working directly with nature in his job.
“When I come to the company premises in the morning, I can already smell what is being pressed. The smell of apples, carrots and beetroot is wonderful. No day here is the same because we process around 40 different fruit and vegetable crops. More than any other manufacturer in Germany.” One reason why training at Voelkel is highly recognized throughout Germany. Voelkel trainees regularly take first places in trainee rankings. Like most recently Dennis John, who was the best fruit juice technician in Germany in 2025 with 97.88 out of 100 possible points. “It’s never boring here,” says John. “While elsewhere only apple and orange juice are bottled, here you learn the entire process of making juice. From pressing to storing, mixing and bottling – this range of activities and processed products is, as I learned during my training, absolutely unique in Germany. That’s why I was much envied.”
The juice cider factory, which was founded 90 years ago, offers many other benefits in addition to variety and the high quality of training. These include, among other things, extensive social benefits and 30 days of vacation. In addition, further training as well as free company sports and yoga. The company, run by the three brothers Jacob, Boris (purchasing) and Jurek (marketing and sales), even offers massages. Not to forget the training remuneration of 1,340 to 1,519 euros, which is quite adequate compared to many other apprenticeships. The training takes place in the factory and in parallel at the Geisenheim vocational school in Rheingau. Block teaching creates a close class community.
Healthy foods from healthy structures
Voelkel is on a mission and it is called: “Healthy food from healthy structures”. In addition to good and reliable pay for agriculture and healthy, innovative products, this also includes attractive and, above all, long-term secured jobs. An important measure for this was the conversion into a foundation structure oriented towards the common good, which took place in 2011. Voelkel is therefore forever unsaleable and safe from being taken over by investors. Many employees have been working in Pevestorf for decades. The longest employee for over 40 years. AI may make many professions superfluous – but specialists in fruit juice technology at Voelkel will continue to press and bottle juices with passion tomorrow and the day after.
Visit our homepage and find out more: voelkel.bio/
Discover all our job advertisements here: voelkel.bio/jobs/
Other future-proof training occupations at Voelkel:
Dual study course in business administration – food management
In the dual study business administration – food management, students not only acquire in-depth business knowledge, but also gain exciting insights into topics relating to food and nutrition. At the same time, they are actively involved in the company – for example in the development of new products, in marketing or sales – and thus experience first-hand how the food industry works.
Requirements:
High school diploma or a comparable university entrance qualification, good mathematical knowledge and enjoyment of intensive learning.
Industrial clerks
Industrial clerks deal, among other things, with: with materials management, sales and marketing, human resources, finance and accounting. You are responsible for the calculation and preparation of offers and deal with the production processes. This also includes production planning, booking production orders and evaluating production results.
Requirements:
At least a good high school diploma. Advanced basic knowledge of two foreign languages is an advantage, as are good grades in mathematics and German.
Machine and plant operator
Machine and plant operators use state-of-the-art filling systems to fill fruit and vegetable juices, lemonade, syrups and fruit wines into various containers made of glass, soft cardboard packaging and cans. Other tasks include labeling, packaging, carrying out quality controls and setting up and converting production facilities.
Requirements:
At least a good secondary school leaving certificate as well as good grades in mathematics and physics and technical understanding.
Warehouse logistics specialist
Warehouse logistics specialists store, load and ship drinks properly. They accept goods, check them and store them. In scheduling, they put together deliveries and route plans and communicate with shipping companies and customers.
Requirements:
At least a good secondary school leaving certificate.
Merchants for wholesale and foreign trade management
Merchants for wholesale and foreign trade management are responsible for purchasing and selling fruit and vegetable juices, lemonades and other organic and Demeter drinks – in various containers up to tank goods. This also includes organizing timely deliveries to a specific location. The tasks also include comprehensive advice to corporate customers regarding product properties as well as offering financing, service and marketing services.
Requirements:
At least a good secondary school leaving certificate and enjoy working with people.
date: 2026-02-07 22:37:00
Worth a look