Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce honours Nicolas Fiebes
Max Planck materials tester ranks among the best vocational training graduates of 2026
At a glance
- Award: The Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) honours the top graduates of its 2026 vocational training and advanced professional qualification examinations.
- Awardee: Nicolas Fiebes, materials tester at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials
- Ceremony: Awards ceremony on 6 October 2026 at the Tonhalle Düsseldorf
The Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) honoured the top graduates of its 2026 vocational training and advanced professional qualification examinations on 6 October 2026. Among the awardees was Nicolas Fiebes, a materials tester at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials (MPI-SusMat). Having achieved a score of 98% in his final examinations, he will now continue his career at MPI-SusMat as a laboratory supervisor responsible for the institute's scanning electron microscopes.
Combining theory and practice
"The best part of my training was gradually being able to take on more responsibility and gain direct insights into research projects," says Fiebes. "For example, I helped a scientist determine the hardness of a ceramic sample. If we had used the standard hardness testing method, the sample would have broken. But once I understood which factors needed to be considered during testing, I was able to develop an alternative approach."
For his final project, Fiebes investigated corroded screws from the waterwheel of a former zinc rolling mill at the Hagen Open-Air Museum. His analysis revealed that the steel used was unsuitable for the demanding conditions it faced, including mechanical stress, exposure to water, cold and heat. As a result, the screws corroded rapidly.
These practical experiences were also what motivated Fiebes to pursue vocational training after completing his advanced technical college qualification (Fachabitur) as a physical-technical assistant specialising in metallography and materials science.
"After completing my Fachabitur, many of my applications were rejected because employers felt that my school-based education had not provided enough practical experience. The vocational training programme at the Max Planck Institute gave me the opportunity to gain exactly that experience."
Vocational training opportunities at the Max Planck Institute in Düsseldorf
MPI-SusMat offers vocational training in six professions: chemical laboratory technician, IT specialist in system integration, industrial mechanic, office management assistant, mathematical-technical software developer and materials tester.
Graduates have a wide range of career opportunities. Some continue working at the institute, while others move into industry or decide to pursue university studies.
