Armend Sinanaj starts an apprenticeship as an electronics technician for industrial engineering.
With ambition to the goal
“There he is!” Armend Sinanaj proudly shows his ID card. Joining Opel is a dream come true for the 16-year-old. The man from Hofheim can still clearly remember the day when he received the invitation to an interview in Rüsselsheim. It’s been a good year now. “I was so happy, at the same time I was excited – I had never had an interview before!” To prepare for the interview, he used his daily fitness training in the gym as a model – “Here too you have to keep at it, give everything, so that success sets in.” So he prepared himself meticulously. Read everything he found on the internet – about the long tradition of the company, about the current models and the training.
“To be successful, you have to keep at it, give everything.”
When the big day came, everything went by itself: “I didn’t pretend – I was just myself.” He was all the happier when the commitment came. The next highlight is the factory tour. “There will be tomorrow. I’ve watched loads of videos. That’s why I know: It’s going to be very interesting!” Especially since he will be seeing the systems live for the first time, which he will learn to maintain as an electronics technician for industrial engineering. He already has his next goal in mind: his driver’s license. And of course he is already preparing for it.
Internship paves the way
Jasmine Lindberg had an inkling of what to expect on her first day. After all, she did an internship at Opel during the Easter holidays in 2021. That was in marketing. “At the time I did a benchmark analysis and found out – the automotive industry is incredibly exciting!” Nevertheless, she had applied to several companies in a wide variety of industries in the Rhine-Main area. Things went very well at Opel right from the start: “From the prompt confirmation of receipt of my application, the online test, the on-site examination, the nice job interview and the signing of the training contract – the communication was always nice and reliable. Unfortunately, that’s not the case everywhere.”
“The communication was always nice and binding.”
And now it’s finally starting! Jasmine Lindberg has decided to study cooperatively. First, she completed an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk, followed by a degree in business administration at the Mainz University of Applied Sciences. The native of Eppstein will soon be moving into her first apartment in the Rhineland-Palatinate state capital. First job, first apartment – that’s a lot of new things at once. “But it feels good,” she says. And even more so after the first day: “My fellow trainees are great!”
Jasmine Lindberg is completing a cooperative course. First she does an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk, followed by a degree in business administration.
Maximilian Klein opted for the dual study program “Vehicle System Technology and Electromobility”.
At eye level
“Lots of nice conversations, a great atmosphere – I’m still hooked,” says Maximilian Klein about his first day at Opel. “My expectations were exceeded by far!” For the Saarlander, it was clear early on that he wanted to work in the automotive industry, and he applied to almost all major manufacturers nationwide. It gradually became clearer and clearer that it would become Opel. How so? “The conversations at Opel were different: better,” he says, “appreciative and on an equal footing.” He had the impression that people were also interested in him as a person. That was the decisive factor in choosing the car manufacturer from Rüsselsheim.
“I find it strong and consistent to fully rely on e-mobility.”
That and the company’s clear strategy: “I think it’s strong and consistent to offer every model as an electric model as early as 2024.” And it is precisely this future of electromobility that he wants to help shape. His dual study program “Vehicle System Technology and Electromobility” combines content from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, business administration and information technology – supplemented by management skills. The content learned at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Mannheim is deepened in the practical phases at Opel. “Study and practical phases alternate every three months – I’m really looking forward to it!”
The trainees were traditionally welcomed on their first day in Rüsselsheim in K48 by members of the management, the training team and employee representatives.
Vocational training has a long tradition at Opel. Saskia Harms from the central vocational training pointed this out. Opel has already trained more than 25,000 young people.
“You will enjoy training based on the latest content with promising future prospects,” promised Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director of Human Resources and Labor Director.
Interested parties can already apply online for the 2023 recruitment year.
Sep 2022
Photos: Rudolf Mehlhaff, Andreas Liebschner