Practice-oriented training in focus: US Delegation from Oklahoma visits EGA Leichtmetall in Hanover

A delegation from the U.S. state of Oklahoma visited the aluminum specialty foundry EGA Leichtmetall in Hanover last week. The visit centered on transnational exchange around practice-oriented workforce development. The delegation visit comes as EGA’s plan to build a new aluminum primary production plant in Oklahoma. EGA’s plant in Oklahoma is expected to almost double the United States’ aluminium production capacity and create up to 1,000 new jobs.

The practice-based qualification model implemented in Hanover is seen by the delegation as a directly transferable approach for industrial development in Oklahoma: on-the-job training with clear quality standards; job rotation to broaden skills and ensure workforce flexibility; and structured continuing education to enable targeted specialization and long-term retention.

Knowledge transfer from lower saxony

“The visit showed how practical know-how from Hanover has international impact while we simultaneously receive new impulses,” emphasizes Thomas Witte, Managing Director of EGA Leichtmetall. The company’s on-the-job learning procedure was a particular focus of the exchange: new employees learn production methods directly in the process to understand work steps immediately. This form of training develops talents into recognized specialists: an essential factor, especially in a highly specialized industry. “Our model combines learning in the flow of work, clear accountability, and rigorous quality discipline. That’s precisely what makes it internationally compatible – also for Oklahoma,” says Thomas Witte.

German training system as a role model

The exchange on German vocational training and continuing education models resonated strongly with the delegation, which included ten representatives from the fields of energy and environment, education and talent development, as well as business and industry.

“It was such an honor visiting EGA Leichtmetall in Hanover and learning about the apprenticeship training model. We are inspired by the time and commitment that German employers like EGA Leichtmetall have made in training their workforce,” says Rue Ramsey, Vice President of Workforce & Talent Strategies at the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “We would like to bring components of the German apprenticeship system to Oklahoma to provide students a deeper varied training experience in preparation for a dynamic long term career pathway.”

“The visit to EGA Leichtmetall showed how effective hands-on training and education can be when business, education and government work together,” said Heather Turner, Deputy CEO of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Executive Director of CORE. “We are bringing back valuable insights to strengthen Oklahoma’s workforce programs and continue building partnerships that prepare Oklahomans for the jobs of tomorrow and our future EGA facility.”

The delegation’s visit underscores Hanover’s role as a competence center of the aluminum industry in the highest quality segment. The training and development mindset practiced at EGA Leichtmetall shows how practical qualification sustainably strengthens skilled workers and makes companies future-ready.

About EGA Leichtmetall
Leichtmetall Aluminium Giesserei Hannover GmbH is Europe’s quality market leader for large-format, high-strength aluminum alloys made from secondary aluminum. As a specialty foundry with over 90 years of innovation, the company produces up to 35,000 tons of aluminum billets annually for demanding applications—including aerospace, defense, and special-purpose machinery. EGA Leichtmetall relies on 100% renewable energy, an average recycling content of 80%, and state-of-the-art quality assurance processes. EGA Leichtmetall is part of the global EGA Group, the world’s largest producer of premium aluminum. For further information, please visit www.leichtmetall.eu.