Page 25 - Best of STIL 2018 English

Mona Nickel: A tour of the plant sparked enthusiasm early on
After completing high school, Mona Nickel planned to enroll in an integrated degree program in a technical profession. “I then took a tour of the plant at Salzgitter Flachstahl and I was incredibly impressed by the processes and dimensions of the work that went on there.” Consequently, in 2010 she embarked on her integrated degree program at SZFG, concluding it in 2014 with a mechanical engineering degree and a vocational train- ing certificate as an industrial engineer. “It was much more varied than a normal de- gree program, though there was somewhat more work to handle. I can nevertheless recommend taking this route, especially
as I received support from the compa-
ny throughout my degree program and enjoyed financial security.” While Mona Nickel is rooted in the region, this was not not the reason why she opted for Salzgitter AG. “The company is simply friendlier and more open than any other I encountered. And this first impression has been con- firmed time and again in the years since,” says the 27-year-old.
Mona Nickel found a position she enjoys in the Project and Environmental Manage- ment department. She embarked on her first project in 2017: the construction of new packaging and sampling facilities in the hot strip mill.
“Cooperation is our strength”
Dr. Florian Löbermann, responsible for training, explains how the Group goes about creating the ideal training conditions
STIL: Dr. Löbermann, what is Salzgitter AG doing to attract young talent? Löbermann: We are doing quite a lot,
in fact. We’re
working with
partner schools
and inviting
them to our
events. We
offer vacation
programs and
work experi-
ence. There are
also open days
and applicant
nights. Our “STEP.ING” program is designed specifically to attract young people from local high schools. Whoev- er decides to start training with us can take part in voluntary mathematic-in- formation systemscourses during the summer holidays before our training programs begin.
STIL: How are you advertising the opportunities?
Löbermann:Among other things, we launched a campaign with the lead claim “Sei Teil von etwas GROSSEM” (“Be part of something BIG”). There’s a website dedicated to this specific cam- paign and other measures.
STIL: Is it making an impression? Löbermann: Well, size is definitely attractive for many applicants. We are an internationally active Group with around 25,000 employees and well over 100 affiliated companies. Whoever walks through our production sites and witnesses their power and speed cannot help but be impressed. It’s no different for me. My eyes always light up when
I see a 12-meter block of metal – a
slab – processed in the hot rolled wide strip line into 2 kilometers of steel strip, which is then rolled up into a coil.
STIL: If the number of applicants increases, won’t it also become more
difficult to select the right candidates? Löbermann: I’m not anticipating any difficulties. One thing is particularly important to me in terms of selection: We have a respon- sibility towards our applicants and we therefore only want people on board who can success- fully complete
the training. Our testing procedure is designed to estab- lish a probability of potential success. And our respon-
sibility doesn’t end with selection. We also work closely with the vocational training schools on the contents of the training program.
STIL: True to the principle of a dual training program?
Löbermann: I wouldn’t consider our program to be so much dual as “three- pronged”. Our partners are the vocation- al schools, our training center and the companies where trainees gain practical experience.
STIL: Does the dual training system in Germany have a future in the long run? Löbermann: The dual training pro- gram has proved its worth and should be maintained. Also by international comparison, I think the system can be considered a success model.
STIL: What about an integrated degree program, i.e. the combination of a de- gree and vocational training? Löbermann: At Salzgitter, integrated degree programs are referred to as “StuPrax – Studium im Praxisverbund”. These programs offer outstanding op- portunities for applicants as they allow them to complete their bachelor degree and vocational training at the same time. We are committed to offering the best possible training for each and every trainee.
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