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 feature on women in the trades.

Whether tile setter, automotive mechatronics technician, carpenter, painter and varnisher, or plumbing, heating and air conditioning technician: young girls and women are breaking stereotypes in the skilled trades . They are dispelling prejudices by completing an apprenticeship in a trade that many still consider "typically male".

Andreas Monzer of Autoservice Monzer in Wittstock is one of the companies training a woman in a traditionally male-dominated profession. Marit Westphal is Monzer's apprentice in automotive mechatronics and has been a valuable member of his team since August 2021. The automotive business has been training apprentices since its founding in 1991, and now includes a young woman.

"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 obstacles and fought for her dream job as an automotive mechatronics technician . Marit had developed this career aspiration in her childhood. Thanks to her grandfather, she experienced firsthand on a large property with countless vehicles how much fun it was to tinker with cars. Her career path seemed predetermined.

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).

Head of Vocational Training Steffi Amelung observes the changes in training and businesses: "The development is noticeable. We see young women entering dual vocational training in a skilled trade with a clear goal. Because it's a long-held dream of theirs, to take over the family business or pursue other career paths in the skilled trades. They have thoroughly researched the profession and the career path and are well aware of the opportunities in the skilled trades."

The Chambers of Skilled Crafts support both sides – young women and training companies – with training coaching, discussions and mutual exchange with training ambassadors or mentoring projects, in order to be able to support women with special needs 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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