Starting with an apprenticeship, continuously developing their skills, and now holding positions of responsibility: Leon von Dake and Alexander Wüstenfeld are excellent examples of the career opportunities available within onoff automation services gmbh (onoff). Both Leon and Alexander began their professional careers with an apprenticeship at onoff and are now taking on additional responsibilities in assembly and production.
How did your journey at onoff begin – and did you ever imagine that you would one day take on a leadership role?
Leon von Dake: My journey at onoff began on August 1, 2015, when I started my apprenticeship as an Electronics Technician for Automation Technology. At that time, I never imagined that I would one day take on a leadership role.
Alexander Wüstenfeld: I started in the traditional way with an apprenticeship at onoff. Back then, my focus was on learning as much as possible and developing my technical skills. I never imagined that I would one day take on leadership responsibilities. Over the years, however, my responsibilities grew – along with my interest in taking ownership and helping shape processes.
What motivates you to take the next career step toward Assembly Manager and Construction Lead?
LvD: What motivates me most is the opportunity to actively contribute to the further development of onoff, particularly in control cabinet manufacturing, and to help shape the future of this area in a sustainable way.
AW: What motivates me most is the opportunity to make a real impact – both within the team and in our processes. I want to share my knowledge, support employees, and work together to achieve our goals.
Why did you decide to pursue further training as a Technical Business Administrator, and how does onoff support you?
LvD: I chose to pursue further training as a Technical Business Administrator to expand my expertise beyond electrical engineering, particularly in the areas of business administration, human resource management, organization, and corporate leadership.
onoff supports me by financing the training. This gives me the opportunity to continue developing both professionally and personally while preparing myself for future responsibilities.
AW: Through the Technical Business Administrator qualification, I want to complement my technical expertise with business and organizational skills. This allows me to prepare specifically for future roles with greater responsibility. onoff supports me by giving me the opportunity to apply what I learn directly in practice and gradually prepare for new responsibilities.
Which experiences from your apprenticeship and professional career have been particularly valuable to you?
LvD: From my apprenticeship, I gained extensive technical knowledge in electrical engineering and learned the importance of precise control cabinet manufacturing, thanks to the guidance of my trainer and supervisors.
Equally valuable have been the experiences of the past two years, during which I have already worked as Deputy Production Manager. During this time, I learned a great deal from my predecessor and gained important insights into leadership and organizational processes.
AW: My apprenticeship provided me with a solid technical foundation. However, what has shaped me most are my experiences in everyday work – taking responsibility for projects, finding solutions as a team, and learning from mistakes. These experiences help me every day.
What makes working at onoff and being part of the team special for you?
LvD: What makes our team special is the wide range of expertise that each individual brings. As a result, we are able to overcome almost any challenge in control cabinet manufacturing. In addition, the team feels like a small family to me. I know that we can rely on each other, even during hectic periods or when extra work is required.
AW: The team spirit. Everyone supports one another, and you can always ask questions. You are also given the opportunity to take responsibility and contribute your own ideas.
What are you looking forward to most in your future roles?
LvD: I am particularly looking forward to supporting the development of my employees, implementing improvements together, and continuing to develop control cabinet manufacturing with a future-oriented mindset. I also look forward to taking responsibility for the department and achieving success together with the team.
AW: I am looking forward to guiding a team, helping employees grow, and finding solutions to new challenges together. It is exciting to actively help shape the future of production.
What advice would you give to young people who would also like to build a career after their apprenticeship?
LvD: Be courageous, stay persistent, and don’t be too impatient. I started as an apprentice myself and developed step by step over the course of eleven years. Those who are committed, continue learning, and seize opportunities can achieve a great deal.
AW: Stay curious, ask questions, and take advantage of every opportunity to develop yourself. Those who show commitment and are willing to take responsibility will have many opportunities.
If your career at onoff were a tool, what would it be and why?
LvD: My career at onoff would be a toolbox. Since starting as an apprentice eleven years ago, I have gradually acquired new tools – technical knowledge, practical experience, a sense of responsibility, and leadership skills. Today, I can draw on this “toolbox” to successfully overcome challenges together with my team.
AW: A torque wrench. It demonstrates that the right setting is essential: with the right balance of expertise, responsibility, and teamwork, the best results can be achieved.
Three words that describe your everyday work?
LvD: Flexibility, leadership, quality.
AW: Teamwork, responsibility, development.
Looking back on your first day at work, what advice would you give your younger self?
LvD: Stay curious, be patient, and take every opportunity to learn. Every task and every challenge helps you grow, even if you do not immediately realize it. With commitment and dedication, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible on your first day.
AW: Be patient and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Nobody expects you to know everything from the start. Every experience helps you move forward.
What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of being a leader – and what are you most excited about?
LvD: The biggest challenge will be maintaining the balance between employee leadership, quality, meeting deadlines, and achieving business objectives. What I am most excited about is helping my team grow and implementing improvements together. Since I started as an apprentice at onoff eleven years ago and developed into a Production Manager, I am especially motivated to support and encourage others on their professional journey.
AW: The biggest challenge will be leading different personalities and finding the right balance between expectations and support for everyone. What I am most excited about is helping people grow, celebrating successes together, and actively contributing to the development of production.
