f.2.e on tour: Company visit to DEW21
On December 6, 2019, a total of 16 female students and scientists from TU Dortmund University were given exclusive insights behind the scenes at Dortmunder Energie- und Wasserversorgung GmbH (DEW21). During their visit to the company's headquarters in Dortmund, the participants had the opportunity to find out about career opportunities at the company. They also learned how European energy trading works and how DEW21 employees ensure that the lights never go out in Dortmund.
The focus of the morning together was contact with DEW21 employees, who reported on their day-to-day work. In her presentation, Carmen Kalkofen explained how the energy trading team works together. Following the brief input, the students and academics had time to talk to the entire team and ask them about their respective areas of responsibility and careers. During these discussions, some of the special features of DEW21 as an employer became clear: "Loyalty is very important to us and many people stay with us for a very long time," said Carmen Kalkofen, who has been with DEW21 since her apprenticeship and will be working for her colleagues as a full-time works council member from next year.
From trainee to manager: entry and development opportunities at DEW21
After a joint lunch, the focus was then explicitly on entry and development opportunities at DEW21. HR manager Natalija Otte explained various ways in which career starters can gain a foothold in the company. She particularly highlighted the trainee program for university graduates. Loraine Hesse, a current trainee, joined the panel and talked about the application process and her first year as a trainee at DEW21. For Hesse, who completed her Master's degree in Sustainable Energy Supply in 2018, one thing is certain: "For me, this was the perfect way to start my career after my studies." And it has paid off: Her position will be made permanent early next year.
Viola Hegebüscher was similarly enthusiastic about the program. She started as a trainee at DEW21 in 2016 and has already made it into a management position within three years at the company. She manages a team of eleven in the sales department. The industrial engineering graduate did not expect this promotion to happen so quickly. But when the opportunity presented itself, she knew straight away that she couldn't turn it down: "It was always clear to me that I wanted a management position at some point. Whether sooner or later was ultimately irrelevant."
Total E-Quality: equal opportunities and the advancement of women in the company
The fact that she, as a young woman in the company, was offered the opportunity to apply for a position with management responsibility at all is a result of the strategy for more equal opportunities that DEW21 has been pursuing for several years. Natalija Otte reported on various measures that the company has taken and which were awarded the "Total E-Quality" accolade in 2017. Otte is particularly proud of the active women's network. Here, female employees at DEW21 meet regularly for various events and get talking. The Chairwoman of the Management Board, Heike Heim, is also a frequent participant. "Since Ms. Heim took over as Chairwoman, the topic of promoting women in our company has picked up speed once again," said Natalija Otte. One of her tasks is to ensure that DEW21 does not rest on its laurels but continues to promote equality for all genders.
The company
The Dortmunder Energie- und Wasserversorgung GmbH (DEW21) offers electricity, natural gas, heat, water and services from a single source. It not only supplies energy to almost 600,000 residents and numerous companies in and around Dortmund, but is also present on the nationwide electricity and gas market. DEW21 is a multi-sector company and has positioned itself along the entire value chain: From generation, storage, sales and trading to network operation (11,000 km long supply network), for which Dortmunder Netz GmbH is responsible.
As a municipal company, DEW21 supports the implementation of the energy transition locally in a special way and is involved as a partner of the city in the Energy Transition Master Plan. The expansion of renewable energies is also seen as a special social obligation beyond Dortmund: DEW21 generates around 200 gigawatt hours of electricity via hydropower, landfill gas, photovoltaic systems, but above all in its own wind farms.
The project
female.2.enterprises project aims to show female students and graduates from various disciplines career development opportunities in the region and prepare them for a career outside academia.
At f.2.e on tour , attractive companies offer intensive insights into their company structures and explain internal career paths. Participants have the opportunity to make contact with employers at an early stage, get to know HR managers and broaden their view of employment options - both now and for the future.