Thomas Hildebrand has followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather: He is the third member of the family to complete an apprenticeship as a tool mechanic. As an employer, EK had previously impressed the 20-year-old during an internship.
Thomas Hildebrand quickly realized that he wanted to start working and earn money as soon as he finished secondary school. He has always enjoyed manual work and was familiar with toolmaking: “My grandfather and my father learned the same trade, so I got an early insight into this profession,” he says. His father has even worked at EK himself for many years.
During the one-week internship, the current trainee worked in quality assurance, administration and toolmaking, among other areas. “This allowed me to find out which area I particularly like,” he says. EK immediately left him with a positive first impression: “The building is very modern, clean and well maintained.” This good feeling continued even after the apprenticeship began: “The company makes sure that the employees feel comfortable at work.”
The good atmosphere in his team is another big plus point for Thomas Hildebrand. “There is a friendly atmosphere here and I always get support when I need it,” he says, describing his experience. The job teaches him to work independently and to try things out. As part of his day-to-day training, he carries out a wide variety of metalwork and repairs damaged tools, for example. In the first year of the apprenticeship, the junior employees learn the basic techniques, and in his current second year he can continue his practical training. After three and a half years, graduation is imminent.
EK advertises guaranteed employment with good performance. This future perspective played an important role in Thomas Hildebrand’s choice of training. “I am confident that it will work!” For his professional life, he can imagine further training to become a technician and later a master craftsman. This is also possible at EK on a part-time basis.
In his private life, Thomas Hildebrand enjoys spending time with Medusa, Günther, Liselotte and Marianne. These are not flatmates in the traditional sense, but his corn snakes, which are up to 1.50 meters long. As a self-confessed summer person, the Düsseldorf resident enjoys trips on his scooter and outings with friends and girlfriends. Soon there will be reason to celebrate: he wants to celebrate his 20th birthday with a big group.