Master electrician and entrepreneur Alina Gieres on the construction site (Photo: © Falk Enderle)
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12 January 2024
During her master craftsman training, in the companies and to this day on the construction sites, Alina Gieres is the only female master electrician in Saarland.
During her master craftsman training, in the companies, and even today on construction sites, Alina Gieres is the only female master electrician in Saarland. "They said I was the first in the state. There are more female master craftsmen in other trades." Studying alone among 17 men at the Saarland Master Craftsmen and Technicians' School (SMTS) was nothing unusual for Gieres. Even at school, she was interested in scientific and mathematical concepts, making her an exception among her classmates.
"I chose the math stream, most of the other girls the languages stream. There was less discussion, and everything was a bit more relaxed," says the young teacher with a laugh. "But parents often don't want girls to choose technical or scientific careers. Others don't even consider it," she adds.
Now, as a foreman on the construction site, the electrical engineer is often underestimated by her male colleagues. "If I'm carrying something heavy and my business partner Timo isn't, the others might make a comment, or five colleagues might immediately be on hand to help." She certainly meant well, but Alina Gieres always fends them off. "No one helps Timo when he's carrying something," she knows. "A woman can do it herself," is the craftswoman's motto. Occasionally, she's not taken seriously on the phone either. When she answers, she's asked to speak to "the boss." Breaking old ways of thinking isn't easy.
After high school and graduating from high school, the tech-savvy woman knew she wanted to pursue university. "I really wanted to become a vocational school teacher," Gieres recalls. Her chosen subjects were mechatronics with a focus on electrical engineering and sports. During her studies, she worked at an electrical engineering company. "I really liked that, and I thought, 'Hey, this is cooler than becoming a teacher.'" So she put off an apprenticeship, but wanted to continue her studies afterward.
The Chambers of Skilled Crafts in Germany - HWK of Saarland
The Chambers of Skilled Crafts in Germany - HWK of Saarland
The Chambers of Skilled Crafts in Germany - HWK of Saarland
She chose the Saarland University of Applied Sciences, specializing in electrical engineering. "During the first exam period, I was in bed with a fever and couldn't take the exams." She would have had to postpone her first exams for a year, as they are only offered once in the winter semester. However, waiting another year was out of the question for the student. After considering possible alternatives, she came across the SMTS program. "There, after one year of full-time study, you have the opportunity to earn a master's degree. Before I could start, I worked as an electrician for another six months, followed by a year at the master's and technician's school."
She and her business partner, Timo Wohlgemuth, started their own business immediately after completing their master craftsman training. "I didn't want to continue working as an employee, either in a small or large company, but rather start my own craft business as a master craftsman." Applying what they had internalized over the years, working independently, being their own boss: These were the motivations for Gieres and Wohlgemuth to immediately take the step into self-employment. It worked immediately, even though the path to that point hadn't been easy.
The two had already made the decision before the exam. Because it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, they received a special permit in 2021. "It was a shame that we couldn't find any funding programs to make it easier until we started earning something from the business." Loans are available for companies that need machinery or other major investments, but hardly any programs for smaller businesses that can help bridge the initial period with a few hundred euros a month. Even the employment agency refused to provide a start-up grant. So Alina Gieres and Timo Wohlgemuth invested privately, bought their first van and equipped it with tools. Wohlgemuth converted a basement room at their home into a shared office, and the garage is used as a storage facility.
Word of mouth and contacts with associations helped us get off to a flying start, reports Alina Gieres. "We now have many orders from private developers, but also from commercial clients, so many that we have to cancel smaller projects because we don't have any more time in the next three months." In the long term, we also plan to recruit apprentices. Applications from women are expressly welcome.
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