Getting a family business started

At the start of July, the 23rd Family business career day took place in the Baden-Wuerttemberg town of Ditzingen. Around 50 other family-run businesses were present on the premises of Trumpf, one of the world's largest suppliers of machine tools. Among them was our Hager Group. A total of 650 young women and men took part in the event.

The "Family business career day" is a joint initiative of leading family businesses, the Entrepreneurs Club and the Family Business Foundation. Since 2006, the event has been taking place at alternating locations in Germany. In each case, the organiser is a family business. Young talents from all disciplines, in particular engineering and economics, are addressed. The patron is Federal Minister of Economics, Peter Altmaier.

For the young women and men who made their way to Ditzingen this summer, there was an opportunity to get pro-active information on the profiles of companies on a large exhibition space and to follow their company presentations in small groups. In addition, an anonymous participant booklet was prepared through the pre-selection process, in which the interested parties of the career day had to apply to participate using their CV. This information was sent to the HR managers of the family businesses, so that it was possible to arrange interviews with interesting candidates on site. A good opportunity to get acquainted - for both sides. There was a lot to discover in the Engineering Lab - not just for engineers. Here, companies presented the most innovative products and technology from their research laboratories.

"Our professional stand appearance, which was created in cooperation with the exhibition construction, was particularly successful", explains Nadine Backes, Talent Development Specialist. Together with HR colleague Sarah Wolff, Andreas Müller from the Technical Service Centre Stuttgart and trainee Daniel Zapp, she ensured that the interested parties had all their questions unanswered.

Once again, the event made this clear: Family businesses require a high number of specialised personnel and leaders even in economically challenging times. "The shortage of skilled workers is not a cyclical phenomenon, but rather structurally conditioned. Falling incoming orders will not cause the situation to ease”, says Stefan Heidbreder, Managing Director of the Foundation for Family Business. We are delighted that this event format supports the exchange between companies and applicants.