It's all about the foundation
Training as a draftsman at CHRISTMANN + PFEIFER
There are always those. Those who dream of cool buildings even as a child. About being an architect. To build. And to plan. And leaving their own signature on the landscape. Those who sit at their desks and draw buildings. Or rather, design them. One of them is Johannes Agel. It all started with a dream house project in secondary school. Since then, he hasn't let go of the feeling that this is something that awakens passion in him. And what he would also like to do as a profession. The attraction is clear: "It's simply the combination of design and technology" that excites him so much.
Going to university or starting a professional training: Career counseling and research help with the decision
Many years later, when it comes the time to decide on his own career path, he goes online for career guidance. An architect suggests that he trains as a draftsman. Because that's where you learn the trade, which creates a really good foundation. Drawing plans, understanding building structures, planning objects in such a way that they can be implemented. Johannes finds the idea exciting... he didn't have this path in mind. His approach was actually quite classic: If you want to become an architect, you have to study architecture. But through the advisory discussion, he is re-informing himself. It's clear that the foundation is important. Whether in construction or in vocational training.
While researching online, he stumbles across the job posting at CHRISTMANN + PFEIFER. The company also trains draftsmen. The fact that the trainees have already won so many awards in recent years speaks for the company and arouses his ambition. He applies - and gets his acceptance.
"I'm attracted to the combination of design and technology."
Johannes Agel, trainee as Draftsman
Varied daily training routine between theory and practice
He is now based at C + P Engineering, CHRISTMANN + PFEIFER's in-house planning office, and has started his training as a draftsman specializing in civil engineering. Surrounded by a dynamic team of technical system planners, draftsmen, architects and structural engineers, he is getting to know all areas that are necessary for the planning and execution of a construction project.
A parking deck for a hospital? A car dealership for a luxury manufacturer? A production hall for an industrial construction company? The projects that he draws and brings to life virtually even before they are built always have a very specific connection to reality. With trainer Dina Unger, he has an experienced draftswoman at his side for practical work in the company. And once a week, he goes to the vocational school in Gießen to learn the theory.
Johannes is now familiar with the Autodesk Revit software, which is used to model and plan the buildings in three dimensions. From the first drafts to the building permit documents and finally the implementation planning, everything runs hand in hand. This also includes close cooperation with architects, structural engineers and other specialist planners (e.g. electrical, heating, plumbing).
Specialization in civil engineering - so that "everything fits and holds"
The profession of draftsman specializing in civil engineering is generally less well known, but no less interesting. This specialty mainly involves drawing up formwork and reinforcement plans, i.e. structural drawings for concrete and steel. Here, taking into account the structural calculations of the structural engineer, among other things, reinforcement lengths must be calculated and reinforced concrete drawings created so that "everything fits and holds" on the construction site. Johannes particularly enjoys discovering problems and sticking points and finding constructive solutions with everyone involved.
So his training has little to do with castles in the air and dream houses. But it is wonderfully specific. Math is a faithful companion. What else you need: "Openness. Apart from everything technical: You have a lot of contact with people. There's a lot of communication. That's important!"