SwissSkills2020 gold medalist Jan Meier
At the age of 17, Jan Meier was the youngest participant to win the Swiss Design Championships. When he talks about his profession, it immediately becomes clear that this is his absolute hobbyhorse. In addition, he tells us in the interview how he feels after the victory and what he is currently looking forward to the most.
Interview: Bianca Richle, March 25, 2021
Jan, you won the Swiss design engineering Championships in September. How do you feel now a few months after the victory?
I still feel the same as before. Nothing has really changed. But of course, I am very happy about the victory.
What do you remember most about the SwissSkills championships?
I was the youngest participant. That’s why I thought, if I have the chance to take part, then I can take this with me as a learning experience and maybe take part again in two years. It was beyond my imagination that I could win.
Did that perhaps make you more relaxed about the whole thing than others?
That may be. But I was still a little nervous, prepared as well as I could and gave it my all.
Looking back, what do you think was decisive for your victory?
In the end, I was only 0.57 points ahead of the runner-up Felix Waldschock. So that was only a minimal difference. But what was certainly decisive - unlike candidates from other companies, we were really well prepared by Bühler. We had 12 days of preparation time, whereas others had only two days, if that. Of course, this massively increased our chances.
You were mentally coached by a performance specialist. What did you take away from that?
We learned how best to deal with setbacks, for example when things don’t go so well on one day, that we shouldn't let ourselves get dragged down but focus on the future.
You qualified for the WorldSkills in Shanghai? What do you hope to achieve?
My goal is to prepare in the best possible way and get the gold medal.
That sounds good! The World-Skills have been postponed by one year to October 12 - 17, 2022 due to Corona. How did you take that?
To be honest, it comes in handy. It gives me more time to prepare really well and learn everything. I also get excellent support. I can invest one day a week in my preparations. Swissmem provides me with two experts who prepare tasks for me and coach me. It’s about getting to know all the functions in CAD, increasing the speed and then, in the final phase, simulating stressful situations, such as noise, bad food or little sleep.
What fascinates you about your profession?
I am fascinated by the fact that it is a profession that makes an important contribution. I can’t think of any object that is not designed by a designer. You see in the evening what you have made. And you can realize an idea in a drawing, which later stands with the customer and makes him happy.
How did you actually get the idea of doing an apprenticeship at Bühler?
I visited various vocational training fairs such as the OBA in St. Gallen. There, it quickly became clear to me that Bühler would be a very good training company. That’s why I was very pleased to be offered an apprenticeship.
Now let’s be honest, how do you like the apprenticeship at Bühler?
At Bühler, we apprentices are seen as part of the team. We can already take on exciting projects during our apprenticeship and contribute our ideas. In addition, there is the possibility of stays abroad and workshop weeks for apprentices - as far as I know, this is unique.
What would you like to do after your apprenticeship?
Since I won the gold medal, I have already been offered a permanent position as a design engineer for after my apprenticeship. I will use this to gain professional experience. After that, I could also imagine going to study. But I don’t know yet whether I want to go down this path.
How would you describe yourself?
Helpful, social, and open for new things.
Do you have a motto or guiding principle?
No, so far, I’m doing fine without one.
What do you always have with you? And why?
Actually, only my cell phone. And only because it’s practical.
What book are you reading at the moment?
I’m not the book type. If anything, I watch YouTube movies.
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Certainly, the preparations for the WorldSkills and the event itself. And of course, to the fact that the Corona pandemic will be over at some point and I can move more freely and without a mask again.
Jan Meier grew up in Andwil, St. Gallen, about 12 kilometers from Uzwil. In 2018, he started his apprenticeship as a design engineer at Bühler and is now in the third of four apprenticeship years. In 2020, at just 17 years of age, he was the youngest participant to win the Swiss Design Engineering Championships, qualifying him for the 2022 World Championships in Shanghai. In his spare time, he is a youth and young adult leader and enjoys spending time with his family.
Gupfenstrasse 5
Uzwil
9240
Switzerland
