“I enjoy physical work”

It takes a real woman to operate a 2,700 ton machine. But the foundry operator Michaela Engdahl doesn’t shy away from a challenge – and thinks more girls should apply to work in her profession.

Michaela Engdahl is actually a certified veterinary nurse, but applied for a job in the industry after she finished high school.

“In some ways, my mom is the reason I became a foundry operator. She’s been a foundry worker for 18 years and loves her job,” recounts Michaela.

Michaela’s job involves managing and monitoring the machines where the molten metal is processed and molded into different types of parts. Although the process is largely automated, it still entails lifting and moving heavy parts.

“At first I thought, ‘Nah, there’s no way I can manage this!’ But it’s gone great. There are so many different elements to my job, so it never becomes monotonous. You’re tired when you get home in the evening – but in a good way! I enjoy physical work.”

Michaela started out at the foundry of STG in Vimmerby, but moved on to work at Ljunghäll about 1.5 years ago.

“It’s fun to be at a bigger factory; you get to know a lot of people. I also think it’s clear that Ljunghäll supports its employees in their professional development. They invest in their personnel.”

What would you like to do in the future?

“It would be interesting to advance and eventually try something else here at the factory. But right now I’m really happy where I am and still have a lot to learn.”

Today Michaela is one of the few female foundry workers. She thinks that more girls should apply to jobs in her line of work.

"Many of my friends believe that the job is dangerous and tough, but you can’t really understand what it actually involves unless you’ve done it. Give it a try!”