{"id":26099,"date":"2026-07-03T14:30:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/?p=26099"},"modified":"2026-07-03T14:31:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:31:03","slug":"a-flagship-project-others-can-follow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/en\/2026\/07\/a-flagship-project-others-can-follow\/","title":{"rendered":"A Flagship Project Others Can Follow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two employees in Remagen turned strong performance into professional qualifications: after first joining accumulator production without formal vocational training, they went on to complete Germany\u2019s traditional dual training program and qualify as plant and machine operators.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe firmly believe that teams that are diverse in terms of age, gender, and cultural backgrounds are not only enriching, but also more successful.\u201d That is how the Freudenberg Group\u2019s annual report puts it \u2014 slightly abridged here. In other words, diversity is deeply rooted in the Group\u2019s values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a company working with metal, our workforce in Remagen has traditionally been predominantly male,\u201d says Marcus Darms, Global Operations Manager, Lead Center Accumulators. That has been especially true in manufacturing leadership roles \u2014 and not only at this location. \u201cThat\u2019s why we want to train more women for demanding production roles, giving them the opportunity to move into high-level technical and leadership positions,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That approach has now proved successful in Remagen \u2014 twice over. A few years ago, Angelika Gwozdz and Natalia Majcher joined Freudenberg Sealing Technologies\u2019 accumulator production team. At the time, neither had any experience in metalworking.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Angelika Gwozdz and Natalia Majcher (front, from left) have earned their skilled worker certificates. They are pictured with training manager Alexander Gro\u00df (left), production manager Marius Schmitt, and HR manager Daniela Ritzdorf, who played key roles in initiating and supporting the continuing education project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, it quickly became clear: \u201cThese two are doing a great job; they\u2019ve really got what it takes,\u201d Darms says. \u201cThey are extremely reliable, highly motivated, eager to learn, quick to grasp new concepts, and versatile enough to work on a variety of systems and machines.\u201d It was also clear that Angelika Gwozdz and Natalia Majcher were capable of more than assembly, operation, and installation tasks \u2014 the kind typically handled by \u201cunskilled\u201d workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduation with Flying Colors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how the idea emerged to offer both employees \u2014 even though they had been out of school for several years \u2014 a dual vocational training program to become plant and machine operators. Over two years, they would build their metalworking skills from the ground up, both in the classroom and on the job. The plan quickly moved forward. The Federal Employment Agency even considered the initiative worthy of funding and provided government support for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two employees passed their final exams at the Koblenz Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) with flying colors this June, scoring 90 and 93 out of a possible 100 points, respectively. \u201cThis is a flagship project that sets an example and will hopefully encourage other women to follow in the footsteps of Angelika Gwozdz and Natalia Majcher,\u201d says Darms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their achievement has already paid off: both graduates have received permanent employment contracts. They are now putting their skills to work on a high-profile e-mobility project for a major automaker. As part of the ramp-up of a brand-new cleanroom production line, they perform specialized technical tasks such as setup work and measurement equipment studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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