CASE

From FGU to Skilled Careers – Behind the Wheel

May 2024

This case is part of Divérs’ transformation project, Boss Ladies FGU.

Supported by:

In Divers’ transformation project “Boss Ladies FGU,” we’re creating new pathways from FGU to skilled careers, helping young women see how vocational education in fields traditionally dominated by men can lead to exciting educational and career opportunities. In spring 2024, young women from FGU in Holstebro and Struer had the chance to get hands-on experience in commercial driving, warehousing, and logistics at Holstebro Education Center.

It took both courage and skill when 16 FGU students threw themselves into everything from truck driving to operating forklifts – and the experience was a great success. Now, half of the participants are considering a career in these fields.

Prestige and
Self-Worth

FGU students come from diverse backgrounds, but what they have in common is a sense of uncertainty about their future in terms of jobs and education. The mission of Boss Ladies FGU is to help them find their path. This event was part of a accelerated partnership with FGU schools in Holstebro and Struer, aimed at building a bridge to the local vocational school. Leading up to the event, the students had visited local companies like Arla Foods and met female role models working in skilled trades.

On the day of the event, the students threw themselves into activities like driving trucks and operating forklifts. These hands-on experiences gave them a real sense of achievement in the fields of warehousing, logistics, and transport, opening their eyes to new career possibilities. While stepping into the driver’s seat was outside of many students’ comfort zones, they discovered how quickly they could master new skills – boosting their confidence and belief in their own abilities. The goal is to inspire more students to consider careers in these fields, and by the end of the day, several had already set their sights on becoming drivers or working in logistics.

It’s incredible. I now know in my gut that I’m meant to be a truck driver.
– Nanna, FGU-elev

The Feeling of Professional Success

To create a safe and relatable learning environment, five local female role models participated – each of them former FGU students who are now either in training or working as skilled professionals in the transport and logistics industry. They shared their journeys from FGU to employment, inspiring the students with their personal stories.

In collaboration with Transporterhvervets Uddannelser (TUR), a series of hands-on activities were designed to engage the students and give them a sense of accomplishment. Working in teams, the students rotated through different tasks, learning how to read pick lists, locate items in a warehouse, pack pallets, and load them onto trucks. The combination of relatable role models, a supportive environment, and practical challenges created an experience that gave the students fresh perspectives on their future possibilities after FGU.

From FGU to Skilled Careers

After the visit, half of the participants expressed that they were now considering a career in the industry after FGU. All the students had a fantastic experience – even though it took courage for some to step up and master the heavy machinery.