Sina Riemann

Production engineer in the Paper ­Performance Team in Burg on …

… why I chose a technical profession

In actual fact, it wasn’t so much the technology itself that originally inspired me. At school, I had the opportunity to make paper in the tenth grade – and I instantly found the topic fascinating. In everyday life, hardly anyone thinks about where paper actually comes from. But for me, this was the start of an exciting journey. A short time after this, I happened to come across a job advertisement from Progroup that was seeking apprentices. That was in 2004 – I’ve been part of this company ever since.

… how Progroup supports my career

When I started my training, I was just 17 years old and I worked in auxiliary materials management and the laboratory and got to know the machine. If I had any questions, my colleagues were always on hand to offer practical support and advice. Over time, Progroup has given me numerous opportunities to develop my career – for example, I was able to complete the master craftsperson training in paper technology. In addition, the company offers a variety of further training opportunities: I recently completed a five-month online training course on the basics of organic chemistry, a subject that’s particularly relevant for conducting operational trials.

… why my female perspective is sometimes helpful in everyday life

In communication, it’s always helpful to bring in different perspectives. It strikes me that women often help to question conversations in a different way and so promote an open, constructive atmosphere. This can open up new perspectives that enrich the way we work together as a whole.

Janine Quilitzsch

Shift supervisor at the waste-to-energy plant PPO2 in Sandersdorf-Brehna on …

… why I chose a technical profession

Even when I was at school, I was fascinated by scientific subjects. When my father, who’s an electrical engineer himself, was building a house, he allowed me to be present during the electrical installation work. Even though I wasn’t actively involved, I was able to learn a great deal. It was his encouraging words that made me decide to train as a mechatronics engineer. I then specialised further by embarking on a degree to become a state-certified electrical engineering technician – because for me this field is not just a profession, but a real passion. Building on the technical experience I’ve gained from my work, I’m currently completing my ­studies as a technical business economist.

… how Progroup­ supports my career

I started working at Progroup on 1 April 2024 and immediately took on a leadership role because I’d already led small teams at my previous employer and so I had a number of years of practical experience in the area of maintenance. Right from day one, I received internal training in the field of power plant technology at Progroup. My supervisor provides very constructive support to our whole team and gives valuable feedback that promotes our further development.

… what role the female perspective plays in my everyday life

I’m convinced that every single person – regardless of their gender – brings a unique perspective, and it’s precisely this range of views that makes teams strong. Perhaps as a woman I’ll sometimes have a different view of processes and situations between people. In my case, this change of perspective often helps me to develop new ideas. For me, there’s never been any question of whether I’d chosen the right path – I feel very much at home in my job and my environment.