Lina Amriui never dreamed that she would actually put out a fire when she registered for the “Girls’ Day” workshop at the Opel factory fire department. With firefighter Johann Räbiger at her side, the 12-year-old skillfully handles the fire extinguisher – and the flames are quickly extinguished. “It was exciting,” says the young woman from Wiesbaden with shining eyes.
This year, Opel HR Manager Ralph Wangemann and Saskia Harms from Central Vocational Training welcomed over 160 students from grades 5 to 13 in the foyer of the Adam Opel House. This means that the number of participants has more than doubled compared to the previous year. But it’s not just the girls who are very interested: “When we asked our colleagues in the factory and in engineering who would like to support us with workshops, the feedback was enormous,” says Saskia Harms happily.
Programming and screwing
A dozen teams and departments have translated the fascination of automobile construction into an exciting program. The “Software X” team needs the muscle between the ears. Under the guidance of Erhan Yuka, the young visitors program the software for a keyless locking system. They previously looked at how this works in practice on an Opel Grandland. Under the guidance of Birgit Filip, the girls implement the electronic controls for an air conditioning system. Isn’t that too demanding? “Not at all,” explains 14-year-old Kritika Adbe. “I’ve had computer science as an elective subject at school for years.” She hasn’t worked with the program used here yet, “but that’s what makes it exciting.”
Over 160 students have registered for this year’s “Girls’ Day” in Rüsselsheim – more than twice as many as last year.
Together with Saskia Harms, human resources manager Ralph Wangemann welcomes the participants at the Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim.
Traditionally, exciting workshops await the students: they can experience the fascination of automobile construction up close.
New this year is the factory fire department. The trainees put together the program for the students themselves.
“It was exciting,” says Lina Amriui, who extinguished her first fire under the guidance of firefighter Johann Räbiger.
Computer science as an elective subject at school? It is now available in high schools in almost all federal states. When Birgit Filip went to school, it was at best a thing of the future. She studied physics before her path led her to software development in the vehicle department. “There is an increasing need for software specialists, especially in the automotive industry,” says the supervisor. Because: Without programming, nothing works in production or in the vehicle itself. That’s why Birgit Filip is happy to take part in the day of action, “to pass on the exciting career prospects first-hand to young female talent.”
The “Girls’ Day” at Opel highlights the interesting career prospects for young women in an industry that is currently rapidly changing towards electromobility. Supporting this day is also a matter of course for Julia Waniek. Because: “Companies that are diverse are more successful – it’s not a ‘nice to have’, it’s a statistically proven fact,” emphasizes Waniek, who oversees and promotes the Stellantis group values around diversity, inclusion and new work.
“Companies that are diverse are more successful – it’s not a ‘nice to have’, it’s a statistically proven fact.”
– Julia Warniek –
Birgit Filip (second from left) explains how to implement the electronic control for an air conditioning system. It sounds complicated, but it’s not new territory for Kritika Adbe (left) – she has computer science as an elective subject.
On “Girls’ Day” the participants demonstrate their skills with the cordless drill. In the method training center, prospective employees learn how to assemble to the beat.
Fascinating insights: Lars-Peter Thiesen is an expert in hydrogen and fuel cells.
The girls explore alternative electric drives using a model car.
The alternative drive is already on the roads as Vivaro-e HYDROGEN.
Also taking part this year is the women’s network “Women of Stellantis”, in which around 3,000 women from 26 countries across the group bring their female perspectives to the company. Anja Döhler heads the “Product and Customer” work area, which incorporates reviews from a female customer perspective throughout the entire development process of a vehicle. On “Girls’ Day” she introduces the students to the topic of electromobility. The young participants can literally “experience” this as passengers in an Opel Astra Electric, after which they are given interesting facts in a short quiz.
Experience female role models
Anja Döhler is supported by Ramona Syska, who is also active in the women’s network. “Despite the fact that none of the girls have a driving license yet, they already have a certain basic knowledge,” she noted. “This shows that an awareness of the great importance of electromobility has reached the younger generation.” Ramona Syska works as a screen designer in the interior sector. The proportion of women could definitely get higher, she thinks. That’s why she not only wants to get young women excited about electric cars, but also encourage them to get involved professionally in what is still a man’s world. “We women have to have more confidence in ourselves,” she emphasizes. And not just in the so-called “MINT” subjects, i.e. mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology, but also in industrial crafts.
“The awareness of the great importance of electromobility has reached the younger generation.”
– Ramona Syska –
The experts for Opel lighting systems helped develop the new front of the Opel Grandland with a glowing Opel flash.
Charging included: Ramona Syska (third from left) and Anja Döhler (right) introduce the students to electromobility.
Virtual reality is used during development.
Seat development is one of the core competencies at the headquarters in Rüsselsheim.
A workshop is also running in the Method Training Center (MTZ) at the Rüsselsheim plant. Attaching parts such as steering wheels or headlights to wooden bodies every 60 seconds is stressful. Annabelle Müller remains relaxed and works skillfully with the cordless screwdriver: “I also like working with wood at home. My father is a carpenter and I can also imagine doing something craft-related in the future. Why not on cars?” Supervisor Emily Bonnet likes the attitude. She is a prospective industrial clerk in her first year of training. She just got to know the MTZ as part of her company training program.
Female support has also long been the norm in the Opel factory fire department. Larissa Wissmann-Gräßer, the first female trainee in the ranks of Rüsselsheim fire protection, cannot be there at this year’s Girls’ Day, as she is currently in school. To do this, the male trainees led by Johann Räbiger have come up with games of skill with which to surprise their visitors. “In the fall we will be hiring five new trainees in Rüsselsheim, Eisenach and Kaiserslautern,” reveals Okay Kocak, head of the Rüsselsheim factory fire department. The application deadline is running. Kocak: “And of course: women are very welcome to apply for the training positions.” Further information about starting your professional life at Opel can be found here.
Group photo with Astra Sports Tourer and Corsa Electric: The focus of the day of action is electrification and digitalization in automobile manufacturing.
May 2024
Text: Eric Scherer, photos Opel/Andreas Liebschner, Rudolf Mehlhaff