Twelve girls from the Innviertel visited FACC in Ried on April 24. At the company's invitation, they ventured into areas formerly considered to be male domains. Together with FACC experts and apprentices, they developed rings and watches that they were allowed to take home as souvenirs. The dedication of the girls underlines the trend towards more women in technical professions. At FACC, almost half the apprentices are female now. A good example of how women can pursue careers in technical professions is Katrin Maier. Within a few years, the native "Innviertler" worked her way up to the post of forewoman with many interesting areas of responsibility.
To mark Girls Day on April 24, Austrian company FACC extended an invitation to twelve girls from the Innviertel region. Together with FACC's experts, they passed through a complete development and production process in the space of one day. The girls got an idea of the complex work performed by many female and male workers on the introductory tour through the FACC factory in Ried. After taking part in a tea break, the young guests started immediately with the concept design phase for their souvenir pieces. From initial sketches to the construction of 3D models and the final detailed drawing, they developed their own designs. They received support in working on the computer from FACC apprentices. The Girls Day at FACC was organized by, among others, Helmut Winkler, Plastics Engineering and Machining Technology Training Manager: "It is very important for girls to take an interest in technical professions and that they can also be given the opportunity to experience everyday work for themselves. In this way, we make them less skeptical about technical professions. It is a misconception that they are predestined exclusively for men."
After the theoretical part and a break for lunch in the factory canteen, the girls visited the apprentice workshop. Particularly interesting here were the conversations with two young, female design engineers in their first academic year. Together, they then put into practice what they had designed beforehand on the computer. At the widest variety of workstations, from forming to drilling & riveting, plastic welding, lathing, and extending to milling and polishing, they turned their designs into unique, personal, products. The girls proudly took home the finished examples, a ring and a carbon watch. In doing so, they showed once more that professions formerly considered to be male domains are increasingly and justifiably arousing the interest of women.
Successful forewoman
FACC confirms the trend towards women in engineering. Girls now make up almost half of a total of 44 apprentices. The young "Innviertler", Katrin Maier, has also made a textbook career at FACC. The qualified technical draftswoman came across FACC through friends. At the beginning of her career, she worked in the Plant 1 Cleanroom. Production of the fuel-saving winglets was one of her first tasks. After four years there, she transferred to Plant 4 in Reichersberg. "The work and products at a new location interest me greatly, so I quickly felt at home in Plant 4," says Katrin Maier, describing her ambitions at the time. Three years later, her commitment was rewarded with promotion to the post of shift supervisor. During this period, she assisted the foreman and already took on some of the team leadership for several projects. Thanks to the economic growth of the company and simultaneous expansion of production, she was offered the post of forewoman. "I didn't have to think for long when they asked me. Since then, I have primarily been responsible for leading my production teams, the produced quality, but also for the quantities and production costs in my areas," says Katrin Maier, who now supervises five projects. "I really enjoy working with my teams. They are perfectly tuned and support me optimally in my work. Precisely this interaction is one of the company's great strengths and it enriches our daily routine," says Maier.
Interesting apprenticeships
As one of the Innviertel's largest employers, FACC is also a popular destination for budding apprentices. "The ongoing training of young professionals is a major success factor for our company. As experts of the future, they ensure that we have the expertise we need in the long term as a basis for our success. At the same time, it is very pleasing to see how many female apprentices are demonstrating their abilities in our plants and thereby enriching professions long considered to be male domains," says FACC director Robert Machtlinger. FACC offers apprenticeships in plastics engineering, machining technology, design and information technology. Male and female plastics engineers manufacture high-tech, lightweight components for the civil aviation industry. In machining technology, the apprentices learn about manufacturing metal and plastic components with the use of cutting and chip-removing techniques. Female and male design engineers develop new lightweight components and machine tools, forming tools, and assembly fixtures, which are employed at FACC above all for metal and plastics processing. An information engineering apprenticeship is possible in the fields of computer science and technology. To ensure ongoing implementation of FACC's innovation strategy, all technologies, equipment, machines, and systems in the company are state-of-the-art. After their apprenticeships, employees also have the opportunity for further targeted training in the setting of the FACC Academy.
About FACC
FACC AG is one of the world's leading companies in the design, development, and production of advanced, fiber reinforced composite components and systems for the aviation industry. Their range of products ranges from structural components for the fuselage and wings to engine components and complete passenger cabins for commercial aircraft, business jets, and helicopters. FACC is a supplier to all large aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Sukhoi, and COMAC, as well as for engine manufacturers and subcontractors to the aircraft manufacturers.
In the 2012/13 business year FACC achieved an annual turnover of 433.9 million euros. The company employs a staff of around 2,600 employees in Austria. More information is available at www.facc.com.
For any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact:
Anja Bichlbauer
Project Manager Communications
Fischerstraße 9
4910 Ried im Innkreis, Austria
Phone: 43 59 616-1137
E-mail: a.bichlbauer@facc.com