Johannes Florek is the best in his year of training as a surface coater (m/f/d) at the vocational school center for construction and surface technology in Zwickau. He completed the dual training program as the best of his year. The award was presented by Marion Regal on November 27, 2025 at the graduate's training company, TZO Leipzig, as a representative of the German Society for Surface Technology (DGO).
Unusual path to training
His entry into the training profession took a rather unusual route. Shortly before leaving school, Johannes Florek became aware of the profession through an advertisement from TZO Leipzig in a Leipzig streetcar. After receiving initial information about the requirements, he decided to apply and then began his apprenticeship.
Strengths in the analytical laboratory
During his training, he showed a particular aptitude for analytical work early on. In addition to the traditional training stations in manual and automatic electroplating and in the areas of grinding and polishing, Johannes Florek was increasingly deployed in the analytical laboratory. His specialist teacher Benjamin Trinks attests to his strong analytical thinking skills and high level of technical preparation. During the lessons, he gave convincing, well-founded answers without putting himself in the foreground.
Hired by the training company
After passing his final examination, TZO Leipzig offered the graduate a job in the laboratory. After just a few months, he was able to carry out hull cell tests and analytical tests for production monitoring independently. In the future, Johannes Florek plans to further expand his qualifications.
Award from DGO and training company
The German Society for Surface Technology honored the performance of the best student of the year with a certificate, a textbook, a voucher for a one-year free subscription to the ZVOreport and the magazine Galvanotechnik and a free junior membership until the age of 28. The training company also honored the achievements with a cash voucher.