Once again this year, Stadtwerke Gießen is offering the best possible start to a career: Ten young people started an apprenticeship on 1 August. In addition, there is a technical high school student who is training to become an IT specialist in system integration.
The conscientious training of young people is part of the business model at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG). There are two good reasons for this: As one of the largest companies in the region, SWG takes its social responsibility very seriously and prepares school leavers for working life. The aspect of raising its own young talent through sound training and thus counteracting the shortage of skilled labour is becoming increasingly important for SWG. "Those who regularly train their own staff will have to invest less in the search for qualified personnel in the future," says Training Manager Ruth Biehl-Franze.
Consequently, ten young people are starting their training at Stadtwerke Giessen again this year. Two are learning the profession of plant mechanic specialising in pipe system technology (AM), four are being trained as electronics technicians for industrial engineering (EB), two as swimming pool attendants (FAB) and two as industrial clerks (IKF/IKM). This apprenticeship year will also see the addition of a technical college student. In just under eleven months, he will be trained at SWG-IT as an IT specialist in system integration (FISI).
A fine tradition
Like many generations before them, the novices familiarised themselves with the company during an induction week. "This is the ideal introduction for the young people," says Ruth Biehl-Franze from experience. This fast-track programme is mainly organised by the trainees who have been with the company for some time. This creates the opportunity to make initial contacts with people of practically the same age, which reduces any fear of contact.
The prospective plant mechanics and electronics technicians have three and a half years of training ahead of them. Industrial clerks and pool attendants need three years for their training. During this time, they acquire the necessary expertise for their future careers. But the people in charge at SWG don't just impart the necessary specialised knowledge. They also emphasise commitment, interest, curiosity, a sense of responsibility and the ability to work in a team. "These skills are becoming increasingly important in all professions," says Ruth Biehl-Franze, explaining the approach.
Incidentally, not only SWG trainees benefit from the concentrated knowledge of the SWG trainers. Other commercial and industrial companies also send their trainees to Stadtwerke Gießen. The SWG experts then teach them what smaller companies in particular would not be able to do or could only do at extremely high cost. "Up to a certain size, it is simply difficult to offer all the required content. In such cases, we are happy to help out," says training supervisor Hagen Luh, explaining the idea behind it.
However, these co-operations are not a one-way street. There is usually a lively exchange that helps everyone involved. Hagen Luh puts it like this: "We regularly learn new things from the trainees who come to us from other companies and bring their experience with them. We can often utilise this knowledge for our own trainees."