Trainees, student interns and employees assume responsibility from the very beginning. Photo: HIGHVOLT/Klewe

The first of October was the big day for students Peter, Felix and Sai – the start of their term of industrial practice at HIGHVOLT Prüftechnik Dresden GmbH. They will be working in the technical department, where everything revolves around high voltages, high currents and the associated test systems.
Life today would be unthinkable without electricity. Not only private consumers, but also the economy as a whole demands enormous amounts of electrical energy. In most cases, this electricity cannot be generated precisely where it is needed, and must often be transported over considerable distances. The manufacturers and operators of energy transmission systems, for example high-voltage cables and power transformers, are typical customers of HIGHVOLT.

 “Our test systems enable the customers to verify the quality of their installations, both in the factory at the time of manufacture, and later during use on site,” explains HIGHVOLT managing director Bernhard Nick. “In that way, they can be sure that energy transmission will be accomplished reliably, and that possible faults are detected at an early stage. You could say that we help to guarantee a dependable power supply to industrial and private consumers.”

There are currently eight students of electrical engineering or a similar technical discipline on practical assignment to the company. HIGHVOLT can already look back over longstanding and successful cooperation with universities from all over Saxony. “Since 2005, 17 students have written their course dissertations and subsequently started their careers at HIGHVOLT,” says HR officer Julia Peter. “And many are still employed at the company today.”

HIGHVOLT has grown significantly over the past few years. Bernhard Nick: “There is hardly a single region in the world where we are not active. No-one in the branch can today ignore the name HIGHVOLT.”
The positive developments are also reflected in the corporate figures. Over the last four years, turnover has risen by more than 35% to over €61 million in 2013. The workforce has also increased accordingly. The company presently counts almost 250 employees, including 6 trainees.

HIGHVOLT installed a vocational training programme as far back as 2003. Ever since, young men and women have been able to complete first-level training in mechatronics, warehouse logistics, device and system electronics, and industrial office processes.
“There can be no doubt that our good mix of experienced specialists and new young employees is an important foundation for our company success,” says Bernhard Nick. “And at the same time, we are able to offer the young people very good future prospects with an economically sound company,” he continues.

Flat hierarchies and inter-departmental cooperation are characteristic for everyday practice at HIGHVOLT. Joint leisure activities are a good way to promote such partnership and mutual understanding. Not least for that reason, the company supports a diversity of sporting and cultural activities for its employees. There is even a company band to take care of a fitting party atmosphere for social get-togethers.