- The “Young Engineer” program gives students an inside look at the world of industry and technology, guided by ABB engineers from Aleksandrów Łódzki, Poland.
- The first edition brought together 300 students from 13 schools.
- The second edition has been underway since October and will continue into 2026.
Friday the 13th — could there be a more ominous day to launch a new initiative? As it turns out, there was no need to worry about superstitions. The program, introduced by ABB employees exactly one year ago and aimed at students, received nothing but glowing feedback from its participants. Interest was so high that teachers ended up extending their class time to accommodate it.
“Mom, what do you actually do at work?”
The “Young Engineer” program is a unique initiative developed by employees at ABB’s facility in Aleksandrów Łódzki. It was created to give young people an accessible and engaging insight into what an engineer’s day-to-day work truly involves. The idea stemmed from a desire to raise awareness of the engineering profession and to show the younger generation how modern technologies translate into practical solutions—both in industry and in everyday life.
The classes, aimed at seventh- and eighth‑grade primary school students as well as technical school students preparing for careers as electricians or automation technicians, were led by ABB mobile service engineers, who shared their experience and stories from working in the field.
The direct inspiration for creating the program came from questions that Patrycja Wielgosz, Field Service Manager at ABB, heard from her own children. They wanted to understand what their mother does, who an engineer actually is, and why this work matters. This situation prompted the team to reflect: if even employees’ children have such a vague idea of what an engineer does, then what about their peers?
This observation is also supported by the results of the PISA study conducted by the OECD, which for years has indicated that young people lack awareness of the realities of the job market and technical professions.
“The sessions were designed to show, in a simple way, who an engineer is and what role they play in our everyday lives,” explains Patrycja Wielgosz.
Two parts: theory and practice
The program is workshop‑based, with each session lasting 90 minutes and consisting of two complementary parts. In the first part, students explored who an engineer is, what their responsibilities are, and how their work shapes the world around them. ABB representatives shared stories from their field experience — talking about breakdowns, challenges, and unusual situations where quick thinking, decision‑making and creativity are essential.
The second part took the form of a hands‑on exercise. Students worked in groups to design a model city using Lego bricks. Each team was responsible for a different area of infrastructure — from power plants and factories to transportation and logistics systems. Their task was to identify where and in what situations an engineer’s work is needed, and to show how ABB technologies help keep the entire ecosystem running smoothly.
Lots of fun and learning
Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day — the very first session was a success, paving the way for future activities. Since then, the team has carried out workshops in 10 primary schools and 3 technical schools. The program also reached female engineering students during the ABB Womenate event. In total, around 300 people have participated in the classes so far.
The feedback collected after the sessions showed that students were taking away practical insights from the workshops. Many emphasized that, thanks to the meeting, they were able for the first time to better understand how machines work and what working in industry really involves. For others, the most valuable part was completing tasks inspired by the everyday work of engineers. In the surveys, students noted that the classes were not only interesting but also allowed them to “put themselves to the test” in a practical way. “The best part was having lots of fun and trying out what engineers actually do,” one student summed up. There were also comments highlighting the development of soft skills. Students pointed out that the workshops encouraged creative thinking and teamwork.
The participants’ feedback clearly showed that the program combined educational content with an engaging format — something the students greatly appreciated in their evaluations.
To be continued
“The students responded very positively to our workshops. During the discussions, they eagerly shared their own understanding of the word ‘engineer’ and listened with interest to stories about service work,” says Patrycja Wielgosz.
The second edition began in October 2025 and the ABB team plans to continue the program in 2026. “We hope that our workshops will become a permanent part of the calendar and that we’ll be able to reach as many young people as possible — to inspire them and help them feel more at home in the world of technology,” adds Patrycja.
The goal of the “Young Engineer” program is to show young people the role of a service engineer — the “invisible hero of everyday life” — while also nurturing their creativity and logical thinking. The sessions blend technical knowledge with hands‑on fun, which is essential for sparking young people’s interest in technical fields.
ABB expects that the impact of the program will become visible over the longer term — when today’s students begin choosing their secondary schools, fields of study, or career paths. The Polish economy needs engineers more than ever to strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
