"All beginnings are difficult." This proverb is very often true, but there are exceptions - even when it is a profound change. The ten new trainees at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG), for whom a new chapter in their lives recently began, can also report this. Over the next few years, they will acquire the necessary skills for their careers and have the opportunity to think outside the box.
For the new trainees at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG), the first thing on the programme at the beginning of September was a warm-up phase - an introductory week during which they were able to get used to their new environment and make their first contacts. This meant that the excitement and palpitations were already over before the actual start of training. This "somewhat gentler transition" from school to working life is an integral part of the SWG training concept. One of the reasons: During the induction, the young people should realise their own goals and perspectives and ask themselves: where do I stand, where do I want to go and how can I contribute my potential to the company? According to training manager Ruth Biehl-Franze, the answers repeatedly paint an even more concrete picture of their career start and their own expectations. She believes it is a crucial step to define expectations and think about what you expect from your employer as a trainee.
Enjoying the job and thinking outside the box
Every year, around ten young adults take their first steps into working life at Stadtwerke Giessen. During their training, they gain experience and expertise for a career as a pool attendant, electronics technician for industrial engineering, plant mechanic, industrial clerk or automotive mechatronics technician. Depending on the job profile, the apprenticeship lasts three to three and a half years.
"It is important to us that young people enjoy learning, take on responsibility and contribute their ideas. This includes, among other things, getting involved in the 75 good deeds last year," explains Ruth Biehl-Franze. Apprentices used their skills to support the scouts in Buseck-Beuern at the good deeds event: The SWG trainees installed an alarm system at the clubhouse, which had been broken into shortly before.
Projects of a similar nature have also been carried out in the past. For example, the trainees installed small photovoltaic systems on several school roofs a few years ago. This is an ideal way to combine commitment to a good cause and professional knowledge.
Learning personal responsibility
The young adults also gain valuable experience in their own small junior company. Together, the budding industrial clerks are responsible for the SWG trainee shop in the main centre in Lahnstrasse. Responsible, in this case, means:
analysing the market, compiling the product range, procurement (purchasing and warehousing), sales (marketing and sales), accounting, monthly and annual financial statements. "They basically run their own small business. This teaches them to work responsibly and organise business processes independently," explains Ruth Biehl-Franze. The technical trainees are also involved in the product development and manufacture of some items - such as stainless steel clocks, bookends or stainless steel pen holders. The junior staff set an example - the kind of cross-departmental collaboration that every company would like to see.
Expertise for Giessen and the surrounding area
The modern training concept of Stadtwerke Giessen and the technically well-equipped training centre benefit not only those starting their careers at the municipal energy supply company, but also many other young people and numerous commercial and industrial companies in the region. Georg Erb, who is responsible for training in the field of metal technology, explains this using an example: "A company would like to train someone as a cutting machine operator, but is unable to complete individual parts of the training curriculum, for example pneumatics. In this case, the company books one or more modules with us at the training centre." Hagen Luh, who is responsible for training in the field of electronics, adds: "This cooperation has proven its worth over many years and helps to prepare future skilled workers from the region for their profession and provide them with targeted training. A win-win situation for everyone involved."
19.09.2014