The Minister primarily engaged with our trainees and spoke with our Head of Human Resources, Simone Heidelberg, and our Head of Training, Mandy Steinmetz. At the training center, the Minister gained an insight into our modern training facility and opportunities. During the tour, the trainees showed the Minister their workplaces, presented current training projects, and shared their personal experiences in vocational training.

After the visit, Julia Willie Hamburg, Minister of Education, emphasized: "PILLER's training center impressively demonstrates how modern, practical training can be successful. The close integration of theory and practice, as well as the company's strong commitment to promoting young talent, are exemplary and make an important contribution to securing skilled workers in Lower Saxony."

PILLER has been intensively committed to recruiting young talent for many years, offering young people qualified training with excellent future prospects. "We attach great importance to not only imparting specialist knowledge to young people, but also involving them in practical work at an early stage and fostering their personal strengths," explains our Training Manager Mandy Steinmetz. Through targeted programs, practical training formats, and close cooperation with schools and educational institutions, the company actively contributes to inspiring young people to pursue technical careers even before they graduate. Of particular note is the company's collaboration with the NiedersachsenMetall Foundation, which implements innovative career guidance projects. Examples of this collaboration include formats such as "BerufeLive" (Careers Live) and programs specifically for young women, such as "Mädchen schwer auf Draht" (Girls Hard on the Wire) and "Mädchen bleiben dran" (Girls Stay On Track), which invite schoolgirls to PILLER's training workshop. To demonstrate this close connection to the foundation, the minister's visit was also accompanied by Olaf Brandes and Hannah Merkel from the NiedersachsenMetall Foundation.

"The NiedersachsenMetall Foundation has been committed for years to introducing young people to the exciting prospects of dual vocational training. The shortage of skilled workers in STEM professions is jeopardizing Germany's innovative strength and competitiveness," said Olaf Brandes, Managing Director of the NiedersachsenMetall Foundation. "Through our practical offerings, we aim to inspire young people to pursue future-oriented careers at an early stage and help them discover their strengths and skills for the professional world of tomorrow."

With her visit to PILLER, the Hamburg Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs underscored the crucial importance of vocational training for the future of Lower Saxony as a business location. Companies like PILLER are making a valuable contribution through their commitment to inspiring young people to pursue vocational training and enabling them to successfully enter their professional lives.