A day for interested girls and boys
SWG welcomed 32 young people to give them a first insight into the world of work. As part of Girls' Day and Boys' Day.
On 3 April 2025, Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) opened its doors to young people and offered exciting insights into the world of the energy and utility sector as part of Girls' Day and Boys' Day. The aim of the nationwide day of action is to show schoolchildren prospects in professions in which people of the opposite sex are usually employed. "We have been taking part in Girls' Day for more than 20 years, and Boys' Day was our premiere," explains Vanessa Lischke, who is responsible for training at SWG.
Gluing, soldering, changing tyres
In the industrial sector in particular, there are manual and technical professions at SWG in which women are still significantly underrepresented - such as plant mechanics for pipe system technology, electronics technicians for industrial engineering or automotive mechatronics technicians for commercial vehicles. Thirteen girls aged between 13 and 15 were able to find out exactly what these specialists do on a daily basis and even try it out for themselves. This is particularly possible at the SWG training centre. Here, the young visitors were able to get their hands dirty. "Our trainers always prepare a few exciting exercises. This time, the girls built and wired a solar windmill and assembled and soldered an LED kit. That went down very well," says Vanessa Lischke happily. The young ladies were also at work in the bus workshop: they were able to help change tyres on a city bus. Girls' Day also took the schoolgirls to the Westbad - not only to the indoor swimming pool, but also to the technical centre in the basement. Here, pool attendants explained to them what is important in this varied profession.
Options for boys
Because there are hardly any professions in this country in which only very few men work, there are generally fewer options on offer at Boys' Day. This is reflected in the number of participants, among other things. "The high demand was a reason for us to also take part in this day of action," summarises Vanessa Lischke. To this end, those responsible broadened the definition a little and showed the 19 boys aged between 12 and 16 the work in the HR department and in marketing - i.e. in areas where women predominantly work at SWG. Because there is naturally not as much practical work to do in these departments as there is in the skilled trades, those responsible came up with workshops: writing a CV, conducting a job interview, planning an event and producing an Instagram story. "Our concept worked well and we are planning to offer Boys' Days in the coming years too," continues Vanessa Lischke.
Just the beginning
Of course, a short visit like Girls' Day and Boys' Day only gives a first impression. Young people who would like to find out more about the exciting professions at SWG can apply for an internship. All important information can be found on the Internet at www.stadtwerke-giessen.de/praktikum