Girls' & Boys' Day 2026 at PACO

On April 23, 2026, PACO once again opened its doors for the nationwide Girls' & Boys' Day, sending a clear message in support of stereotype-free career orientation. The aim of this annual initiative is to give young people early insights into various professions, regardless of gender stereotypes. What began in 2001 as Girls' Day and was expanded in 2011 with the addition of Boys' Day has since become an integral part of modern and equal-opportunity career guidance.

As an active partner of this nationwide initiative, PACO welcomed numerous interested students from the region this year. Ten girls and three boys took the opportunity to look behind the scenes of an industrial company and gain hands-on experience with technical professions.

The participants were welcomed by Rainer Krieg, Commercial Training Manager, and Cornelia Sobolewski, HR Manager at PACO. The subsequent company tour was led by Stefan Panzof, Technical Training Manager, who provided the students with an engaging and practical introduction to the diverse world of metal wire mesh and filter elements. The day was not just about observing: the students had the opportunity to get actively involved by hand-filing their own keychains and then having them individually laser-engraved.

In the technical field in particular, young people still often make career choices based on traditional gender expectations. Technical apprenticeships are frequently perceived as “typically male” professions. This makes it all the more important to show girls that technology is creative, diverse, and very much a field for women as well. PACO firmly believes that talent is not determined by gender, but by curiosity, interest, and enthusiasm.

A particularly powerful message came during the Q&A session with PACO’s current apprentices. Among them was a female apprentice industrial maintenance mechanic, who openly shared her experience that no distinction is made between girls and boys at PACO. What matters are performance, teamwork, and a willingness to learn, nothing else. Stefan Panzof added with a smile that the only difference was that she was not subjected to the occasional playful headlock from her fellow apprentices. The remark drew laughter while also highlighting a workplace culture built on mutual respect and equal opportunities.

The fact that women in technical professions are no longer an exception at PACO is also demonstrated by the successful career path of Mona Raab, the first woman to complete a technical apprenticeship at the company. After successfully finishing her training as an industrial mechanic, she now works at PACO as a welder. Her story is a powerful example of what can be achieved when young women are encouraged to follow their own interests and pursue their ambitions.

The day concluded with everyone coming together for a shared pizza lunch, providing an opportunity to reflect on the experiences and impressions of the event.

PACO firmly believes that young people need role models, authentic insights, and opportunities to discover their own strengths. This is why the company proudly supports Girls' & Boys' Day. Who knows, perhaps before long we will be welcoming and training even more female industrial mechanics, toolmakers, electronics technicians for industrial engineering, and machine and plant operators at PACO.

And of course, boys are always welcome too. Because in the end, what matters is not gender, but the individual.

We look forward to meeting you. ALL of you.