MINDA introduces the construction mechanic and the electronics technician. For both apprenticeships the task is a plastic chain conveyor (PCC). This conveyor has been successfully used by MINDA for years as a conveying element in the corrugated board and solid wood sector. To bring the activities of the professions closer, a PCC model is mounted on the mechanics side. The electronics technicians are going to wire a PCC model. The young people receive active support from our trainees in completing their tasks. It is the goal to get into conversation with each other and to allow an informal exchange between pupils and trainees. We want to make interested young people aware that the best way to test their personal skills is through internships, and these are exactly the kind of places MINDA might offer in a wide variety of fields.

Organization is a team thing 

At MINDA, the MILEFA project is exclusively organized and implemented by trainees and students. This year, Celine Detering is taking over the leadership. She is in her third year of apprenticeship as an electronics technician. The electrification of the Mini-PCC is part of the technician's work being supervised by Niklas Dohm. He is studying for a master's degree in "Integrated Technology and Systems Engineering" (ITSE) in cooperation with MINDA at Bielefeld University, Minden Campus. He has been in #teamminda since August 1, 2023. ITSE combines the analysis of modern challenges from mechanical engineering, computer science and electrical engineering. This combination should enable to master complex interdisciplinary tasks and to further develop operational processes. MILEFA offers our trainees the opportunity to awake young people's interest in technical professions and inspire them for those jobs. In addition, they have got the opportunity to exchange ideas among each other.

A comprehensive apprenticeship and promotion of teamwork skills form our young trainees into "high potentials". And it is precisely this efficient collaboration that gives us a strong performance at MILEFA.

(This article was written by Annalena Sundmäker as part of her university internship at MINDA.)