The world of crafts is becoming more female

Girls and women are breaking stereotypes in the skilled trades. They're dispelling prejudices by completing training in what's considered a typically male trade. Like 19-year-old Marit Westphal.

This article is part of the special topic women in crafts

Whether you are a tiler, automotive mechatronics engineer, carpenter, painter and varnisher, or system mechatronics engineer for sanitary, heating and air conditioning technology: Young girls and women break with clichés in the craftThey are breaking down prejudices by completing training in a trade that many still consider "typically male."

Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Andreas Monzer from Autoservice Monzer in Wittstock is one of those training companies that trains a "woman in a man's profession". Marit Westphal is Monzer's apprentice for automotive mechatronics and has been enriching his team since August 2021. The automotive company has been training since its founding in 1991. Now, a young woman is also joining.

"A girl in the workshop?"

Andreas Monzer of Autoservice Monzer in Wittstock is training a young woman for the first time. Photo: © HWK Potsdam

It was the first attempt for both sides, although 19-year-old Marit knew from an early age what she wanted: to work on cars.

Owner Andreas Monzer remembers the beginnings with Marit well: "Oh yes, I was very skeptical at first. How would that work, a girl in the workshop...? We have many years of training experience, but I just couldn't imagine it... Today, I'm almost a little annoyed that I didn't dare to give young women a chance in our workshop sooner. In fact, we had inquiries before, all of them opportunities that we let slip away."

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Monzer now knows that this was unfounded and advises his colleagues to take young women in the workshops seriously. "I'm glad that this initial skepticism has been overcome. And yes, this is also true: The first few weeks weren't easy, especially when it comes to physical resilience. But together with the team, we found ways forward, and Marit is doing a really good job!"

With passion for your dream job

The 19-year-old from Wittstock overcame resistance and fought for her dream job as an automotive mechatronics engineerMarit developed this career dream as a child. Thanks to her grandfather, she experienced how much fun it is to tinker with cars on a large property with countless vehicles. Her career path seemed to be set.

But her family's enthusiasm for such a "male profession" was initially limited. So, after completing her vocational high school diploma in the social sector, she began an apprenticeship as an optician. She dropped out after two months, unhappily. And she persevered – embarking on her dream apprenticeship.

"I have arrived and love what I am learning"

Two days of trial work with Andreas Monzer, and he accepted her apprenticeship. Today, Marit is happy that things are going so well: "I would do it again. When I joined the company, it was like joining a small family. The colleagues are great; we're a real team. And if something just doesn't work, I just ask for help. So I've developed certain tricks for physical work, and it's working. I'm really proud of what I've accomplished so far. I've found my place and I love what I'm learning."

She advises her peers not to let anyone talk them out of it, not even their family, and to stick with it. This is the only way to convince the critics who still believe girls have a harder time in the trades. Marit's family is now also enthusiastic and proud of the determination their daughter showed to achieve her dream career, which she is now pursuing.

Even in her free time, Marit can't get enough of cars – together with her boyfriend, she takes her own car apart and reassembles it in a small private workshop.

Around 15 percent of female trainees

As of December 31, 2021, almost 3.500 apprentices were learning in the district of the Potsdam Chamber of Crafts, including around 540 young women. The training occupations with the most female apprenticeships are optician (48), baker (11), specialist food salesperson (33), hairdresser (86), office management clerk (64), confectioner (34), automotive mechatronics technician (17), painter and varnisher (15), carpenter (32), and dental technician (47).

The Head of Vocational Training Steffi Amelung sees the change in training and companies: "The development is palpable. We see young women entering dual vocational training with a clear goal. Because it's a long-held dream, they want to take over the family business, or pursue other career steps in the skilled trades. They have intensively studied the profession and the path, and they are well aware of the prospects in the skilled trades."

The Chambers of Crafts support both sides - young women and training companies - with training coaching, discussions and mutual exchange with training ambassadors or sponsorship projects in order to be able to accompany special features for women in a typically male profession. 

Marit Westphal, a prospective automotive mechatronics engineer, also already has plans for the future. Her to-do list already includes a desire to become a master craftsman or a possible specialization in professional tuning. Until then, she also uses her Instagram account to share her professional passion with others. The skilled trades in western Brandenburg could hardly wish for a better training ambassador.

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