'Go MINT.' - Salzgitter AG becomes a partner

Salzgitter AG has joined "Go MINT!", the National Pact for women in MINT careers. Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dr. Heinz Jörg Fuhrmann and Human Resources Director Peter-Jürgen Schneider have sealed the company's participation through their signatures.

The Pact was concluded in 2008 on the initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education between the world of politics, business, science and the media and has the aim of inspiring girls and young women to choose training and degree courses in natural sciences and engineering. More than 90 partners currently support this goal with manifold activities and measures to assist young women in selecting degree courses and careers.

The steel industry has long had the reputation of being a man's world. "We want to change this image and show young women that the steel industry offers a wide range of interesting activities and that they are welcome to join us", stated Human Resource Director Peter-Jürgen Schneider. For some years now the “Girls' Day - Mädchen-Zukunftstag“ has given girls the opportunity of taking a look at the job opportunities in the Salzgitter Group. Other ways of gaining insights into training courses and careers in natural sciences and engineering are by internships, open days and training programs.

Salzgitter AG has opted for women ambassadors to reach out to young women at trade fairs and events. Yvonne Weidner and Anne Petersen, for instance, reported on their experiences as students on a practice-oriented degree course at the most recent IdeenExpo. They combine training as an industrial mechanic with an engineering degree course at the Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences. Both are unanimous in stating that "the working environment for female engineers is exciting and diverse. If you want to actively shape the future, this is where you need to be." Salzgitter AG's intention in joining "Go MINT!" is to build on and supplement its activities for girls and women. There are specific plans for events with MINT women students to be informed them about joining the company and development opportunities. At the same time, the company intends to develop the scope for combining family and career and bring greater flexibility to its work schedule systems.