The shipyard belongs to the family - from apprentice to manager

At thyssenkrupp Marine Systems we want to give our employees the best possible support and encouragement. And we start at the very beginning of their working lives: the apprenticeship. Cem completed an apprenticeship at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems many ­years ago and now holds a management position. He tells us about how he achieved this, why the shipyard has a special meaning for him, and what daycare drinking bottles have to do with thyssenkrupp.

Cem works in the Human Resources department at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. But his career at the company began much earlier. For him, it is no coincidence that it was here, of all places, that he completed his training many years ago. “thyssenkrupp Marine Systems belongs to Kiel - so it used to be common practice to apply to the shipyard. I grew up with the shipyard,” he reports. His enthusiasm also stems from the fact that Cem is carrying on a family tradition. His father worked at the shipyard for more than 40 years, so Cem knew what life was like in the shipyard apartment from childhood on. And anyone who took a closer look in the showcase at their home, discovered a tie pin with a container ship motif among the family photos. After all, “The shipyard is part of the family.”

A fast career

When the apprenticeship was awarded, he was lucky enough to be recruited by the company right out of his high school class. Since Cem had just finished vocational school, he was also given the opportunity to start directly in the second year of his apprenticeship. As a particularly determined apprentice, he began further training to become a state-certified technician while still in training. This plan did not go unnoticed, and the information was forwarded to the head of the engineering department. This created a great opportunity. “He brought me in and gave me the chance to start as a technical clerk right after I finished my vocational training in the engineering department. I've had great supervisors and colleagues in my working life - they've always pushed me,” Cem tells us.

No day like any other

What does his daily work look like today? Cem takes care of all issues relating to junior staff, from marketing to acquisition. He is therefore the first point of contact for questions and problems of the trainees and dual students. “There is no such thing as a typical working day! Most of the time the 250 trainees and dual students, trainers and departments determine the working day. That's what makes this job so great,” he tells us enthusiastically. He clearly enjoys working with the young people in areas such as production, design, service, purchasing and human resources. And no two days are the same. Cem sums up the essence of his job on point: “What could be better than training the next generation of employees for tomorrow? Nothing!”

But it's not just the junior staff who make a difference working at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The cooperation and working atmosphere in the company is also something very special for him. Throughout his career, Cem has always had leaders he could rely on and who encouraged him no matter what point he was at in his professional life. Whether it was training for his continuing education or assisting him with his technician, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems was by his side. Challenges? There have been and there will be, but Cem and his colleagues have solved everything as a team so far: “Teamwork makes the dream work.” He is particularly proud to be part of a company that is constantly on the move and has already achieved a lot.

The shipyard in Kiel is indispensable

For Cem, born and raised in Kiel, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems belongs to the city like an anchor to a ship. Everyone knows someone who works at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The company is a constant companion in his life, as he affirms: “I grew up with the shipyard and now it forms the center of my professional life. It is quite simply my company!” And thyssenkrupp Marine Systems already plays a role in the lives of his three children. “They take the thyssenkrupp water bottle to kindergarten, no other,” he laughs. Perhaps Cem's children will also carry on the family tradition one day?

Cem’s advice for young professionals

Cem did not strive for a management position right from the beginning of his career. He also passes this on to his trainees and dual students: “Do your thing and you will be seen.” In his opinion, young professionals should bring along a good dose of passion and interest in working at the shipyard. “Because without passion, there is no success,” says Cem.

Trainees and dual students at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems should have the right motivation, a good portion of hard work and a fable for surface and underwater technology. If this applies to you, you are the right person for an apprenticeship or a dual study program at the shipyard in Kiel. On our career portal you will find all the information you need about available study places and application procedures.