On National Career Day, children are allowed to bring their relatives or friends to work with them to get a glimpse of what their jobs entail. The focus is on gender role reversal.
Stöcklin offers five apprenticeship programs, which were introduced to the children. All the professions were explained in an engaging way by the respective apprentices. It was especially great that we kids got to help the chef decorate the desserts.
The day’s program also included a tour of the production halls. We were shown the modern equipment, such as the huge welding robot.
After a delicious lunch in the staff cafeteria, we headed back to the production halls. There, we learned more about production and internal logistics. It was especially fascinating to see just how many cables are needed for a forklift to actually work. Overall, I was personally very impressed by the wide range of skills each employee here at Stöcklin must possess so that, in the end, Stöcklin can sell its great products to its customers.
I especially enjoyed getting a glimpse into the “day-to-day” life of Stöcklin’s CEO. I was able to accompany Jürg Frefel to a meeting and afterward had the chance to ask him the following questions:
What do you think of Future Day?
Well, I think our Future Day is super cool, and you know what I like most of all? The chicken nuggets with fries—I really love those. I also love seeing so many young, curious kids here with their eyes sparkling as they explore the company with their families. I think that’s really wonderful, and I really enjoy it.
What’s it like being CEO of Stöcklin?
I think it’s really tough because I have to work so much. But I think it’s super cool that I get to work with all kinds of people, and Stöcklin has a lot of great employees.
Plus, I get to see a lot of things. For example, I get to travel to America or China. I have the opportunity to visit clients and discuss technical matters. My days are very varied, and in the evening, when I go to sleep, I’m always very happy because, as CEO, I get to experience so many different things. For me, every day brings something new.
My third and final question is: What’s your favorite part of your daily work?
Discussing things with people, just like you saw earlier in the meeting. And then finding the best solution together and moving forward in a common direction. Because only when customers are satisfied are they willing to pay for our work—and thus cover the salaries for all of us.
Finally, I asked my colleagues the following closing question:
What did you like best about Future Day?
Angelina: “That we got to see the different jobs, including the warehouse, and that we could look over our parents’ shoulders.”
Djela: “I thought it was especially cool that we got to see our parents’ workplaces. I also really liked the chef and the warehouse.”
Mia: “That we were able to ask a lot of questions.”
Joel: “I really liked the warehouse with the big, fully automatic forklift.”
Sophia: “That I was with my dad and could see what he does all day. I also really liked that we were in the warehouse and could see how the pallets are automatically moved in and out.”
Ella: “Pretty much everything.”
