Two young women start in classic male professions

Medebach. August 1 was an exciting day at Paul Köster GmbH, because ten young people started their training or dual studies at the company. The special thing about it and first time in the company's history: With Angelina Schmidt (18) and Lena Richter (17), two women are starting a technical career at Paul Köster GmbH.
Women in traditionally male positions? Is this even possible? Absolutely. The multitude of classic male professions basically no longer exists, and it is now almost standard for women to hold their own in what used to be men's trades. For Lena Richter it has been clear for a long time that she wanted to become a cutting machine operator. The teenager comes from Winterberg-Grönebach and, as part of her career search, sourced an internship and vacation jobs herself, all at Paul Köster GmbH. Norbert Naß, production manager at plant 3, who accompanies the trainees during their first weeks, was also very pleased about this, because taking the initiative is definitely the right way to go. This way, they were able to get to know Lena and her abilities in advance. The 17-year-old knows her training path inside and out and is looking forward to later, as a cutting machine operator, writing programs on the PC based on a drawing, among other things, and breathing life into the machines. She does not feel that she is disadvantaged as a woman in this technical profession. "And the guys in training have also taken to us well, helping out sometimes when there's a very heavy part to lift," she says.

Experience in the technical sector
Angelina Schmidt is learning the trade of a precision mechanic, and the 18-year-old from Schmallenberg is also looking forward to the next 3.5 years. What will she do when she finishes her training? "I will build large machines and systems based on technical drawings!" That sounds confident and determined. She, too, has already gained experience in the skilled trades during an internship and is sure that she has taken the right path by opting for this training.
In addition to the two young women, Moritz Frieß (metal worker), Dennis Denk (precision mechanic), Jonah Stappert (dual student of electrical engineering), Florian Gerbracht (electronics technician for industrial engineering), Jan Müller (dual student of electrical engineering), Mathis Hoffmeister (precision mechanic), Izabela Zelazo (office management assistant) and Luis Volkmann (electronics technician for automation technology) have started their apprenticeship at Köster.

Spent the first day together
As the step into the new phase of life is a big one, all new trainees spent the first day together. Getting to know each other, taking care of small organizational tasks and handing out work clothes were on the agenda for the first day. Among other things, each apprentice received a T-shirt with not only their first name written on it, but also the profession they are learning. Angelina and Lena are now also well equipped and, like their other training colleagues, are off to a good start at Paul Köster GmbH. "If girls have the urge to go into skilled trades, it's important to support that. We are very happy that both of them have found their way to our company. In the past, we actually didn't have any applications from young women for the precision mechanics and machining mechanics fields," says Alina Köster happily. Norbert Naß adds: "People can do an internship with us at any time. Everyone is warmly welcomed and well taken care of by us!"

36 trainees in three apprenticeship years
Paul Köster GmbH has been training apprentices since 1971 - always with the aim of taking them on after their apprenticeship. "Today, the shortage of skilled workers is greater than ever across all industries, and that's where we simply want to get ahead of the game," emphasizes personnel officer Alina Köster. There are a total of 36 trainees are currently, seven of whom are dual students. A great deal of effort is going into finding suitable young talent who enjoy an attractive workplace. Participation in the HSK training exchange is also a matter of course for Paul Köster GmbH, because it offers the company and also the students the opportunity to get to know each other and exchange information.

Angelina Schmidt (left) and Lena Richter started their apprenticeships as precision mechanics and machining mechanics at Paul Köster GmbH on Monday.

Personnel officer Alina Köster (right) is pleased about the start of the new trainees: from left. Moritz Frieß (metal worker), Dennis Denk (precision mechanic), Jonah Stappert (dual student electrical engineering), Florian Gerbracht (electronics technician for industrial engineering), Angelina Schmidt (precision mechanic), Jan Müller (dual student electrical engineering), Lena Richter (cutting machine operator), Mathis Hoffmeister (precision mechanic), Izabela Zelazo (office management assistant) and Luis Volkmann (electronics technician for automation technology).