In summer 2022, Eileen Wermelinger began her apprenticeship as an event specialist with a Swiss Federal Vocational Education and Training diploma at Habegger. In May 2023 she already had the chance to take over the responsibility as a project manager.
Eileen, from near basel, discovered her passion for technique as a young child. Her family is a member of the Accordion Orchestra Basel Allschwill (AOBA). From an early age, Eileen and her brother often helped behind the scenes at performances installing the audio and lighting equipment. “Learning by doing” was the motto – so the budding event technician was already able to acquire a great deal of knowledge.
In 2023, the AOBA celebrates its 25th anniversary, which resulted in a heartfelt project for Eileen: Eileen’s father, president of the orchestra, had the idea that his daughter could realise the light show in collaboration with Habegger.”I presented the event and the idea to my boss and he gave me his GO as well as his support,” says Eileen. Then the project planning took its course: “I set myself the goal of creating a Wow-effect for the audience and surprising my client with my skills.”
She drew and simulated the planned lighting design in the CAD software. During this process, Eileen was regularly in contact with her vocational trainer and other Habegger experts in order to harmonise needs, wishes and feasibility. They discussed electricity calculations, defined the number of cables and booked the materials. Since it was a non-profit event and therefore there was no big budget, Eileen had only the existing Habegger material at her disposal. Together with Fabrice, also an apprentice at Habegger, they prepared the programming of the lighting console.
In the morning of the jubilee event, Eileen and her team set up the equipment and installed all the lighting technology. At 8pm, the guests had already arrived and it was showtime: the young Apprentice started her light show. She skilfully played with colours, patterns, movements and light intensities and created a harmonious light show, matching to songs like “Don’t stop me now” by Freddie Mercury.
The audience was thrilled by the concert. But not only the accordion players received positive feedback from the audience. “I was quite impressed how audience members approached me and gave me compliments on my work. I was extremely overwhelmed,” says Eileen looking back.
The Young Talent explained: “It’s nice to see everything I learned in the first year of my apprenticeship and that I was able to implement independently. Of course I had certain advantages in this project, because my father was the interface between me and the orchestra. So I could talk to him openly and without hesitation to clarify needs. During the preparation of the project, I realised what I had to think of to plan efficiently. Fortunately, I had support from my vocational trainer and my colleagues. Many thanks to all of them!
Then apply now and become part of the Habegger family!
Every two years, Habegger takes a close look at its own working environment together with “Great Place to Work®”, with the aim of identifying optimisation potential in order to remain an attractive employer in the future, too. In 2022, we have once again received the award for an optimal working environment.
