Young talents impressed by STILL
160 participants at Future Day 2024
Once again this year, STILL opened its doors to Hamburg schoolchildren on Future Day to give them an authentic insight into the fascinating world of intralogistics and work in an international company. 160 of them took advantage of this opportunity and experienced an exciting day between innovations, machines and virtual reality.
When Dr Florian Heydenreich, Executive Vice President Sales & Service STILL EMEA, welcomed the guests at the company's Hamburg headquarters in Billbrook on Thursday morning, his audience was younger than usual. 160 schoolchildren aged between 11 and 13 were eagerly waiting for the head of the Hamburg-based intralogistics company. And they were not disappointed. After the welcome by Dr Heydenreich and STILL training manager Jan Wehlen, the young guests were treated to an exciting programme at Future Day 2024.
Soldering, crafting forklift trucks, experiencing virtual reality
At a total of eleven stations, STILL employees, trainees and dual students explained the technical basics of working in intralogistics to the schoolchildren and provided practical insights into the wide range of jobs and training opportunities at STILL. And since the proof of the pudding is in the eating, the guests also had the opportunity to try things out for themselves: Small models of forklift trucks were built at the workbenches in the training workshop and STILL logos were filed, soldered, puzzled and assembled from metal. The pupils also had their first experience of virtual reality and its many applications. A tour of the factory and an educational film about STILL rounded off the programme.
At eye level: STILL trainees and students give advice on career choices
About 45 trainees and students were actively involved in the preparation of the STILL Future Day and accompanied the pupils throughout the day. Once again this year, the direct contact with the young professionals, who patiently answered all questions about their everyday training and starting a career at STILL, was a special highlight for the participants. At a final lunch with their parents, the pupils had another opportunity to talk about their experiences and share their - very enthusiastic - conclusions.
Promoting young talent is a high priority at STILL
Jan Wehlen, Head of Training at STILL, also drew a positive balance of the STILL Future Day 2024: "The demand for the STILL Future Day was again high this year, and the 160 available places were filled within a very short time," he reports. "Especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers and intense competition for the innovators of tomorrow, we are very pleased with the great interest shown by pupils in our company and the wide range of training and study opportunities at STILL. Early and actual hands-on contact is very important to us in order to provide pupils with the best possible support in their choice of career. Days like today's Future Day are very valuable in this respect.
Early hands-on insights for the future of the industry
The annual participation in Future Day is an important pillar of STILL's strong commitment to promoting young talent and the future viability of the industry. In addition to STILL's award-winning training and study programme, this also includes cooperation with Hamburg schools, the SchuleWirtschaft network and nordbord - the STEM club for children and young people.
Dr Florian Heydenreich concludes: "By giving young people the opportunity to experience the dynamic world of intralogistics at different stages of their school education and to get to know us and the industry, STILL is making a lasting contribution to closing the skills gap and attracting the next generation of innovators to intralogistics. As the reactions show, we have once again succeeded in doing this on today's Future Day."
