Designing, assembly, milling and testing - how is it done? At Dallmer's recent Girls' Day, five Arnsberg schoolgirls were given a taster of technical occupations – and were rewarded with a disco ball for their efforts.

Girls' Day is like a practical training day and is designed to interest girls in what are typically male-dominated occupations. The annual practical training day is also known as Future Day and aims to provide early encouragement and assistance in vocational orientation. On this day, many companies open their doors for a day, particularly in occupational fields and departments in which females are typically under-represented: technology, IT, trade and natural sciences.

The "Girls' Day" at Dallmer was prepared and organised by Lisa Vielhaber, a trainee in her 2nd year, this year ably supported by her male colleagues, Hendrik Hahne and Jan-Niklas Schacht.

Three schoolgirls participated in this year's practical training day at the industrial park in Wiebelsheide, one from Franz-Stock-Gymnasium and two from Realschule Neheim. Anna, Merle, Anna, Nina und Amelie-Sophie were offered an exciting and varied programme. After a company presentation and a tour of the premises, the girls visited Dallmer's think tank, the Development + Design department where they were able to see how quickly a dice can be designed on the computer using a CAD program. This was followed by the action-packed retooling of an injection-moulding machine in the production department, the varied process of quality testing in the laboratory and a visit to the impressively large and modern high-end milling machine.

The three trainees then introduced the schoolgirls to the skilled occupations that Dallmer currently offers as apprenticeships. As well as the traditionally male-dominated occupations, such as tool mechanic, warehouse clerk, process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology, Dallmer also offers apprenticeships for industrial clerks.

Overall, it was a very intensive and entertaining day at Dallmer. The 'trainer' rewarded the five girls for their staying power and interest with a small gift. In the toolmaking department, the girls were given a brass "disco ball", made specially for them and an engraving commemorating their visit to Dallmer – Girls' Day 2015.