After completing his bachelor degree in systems engineering with a specialisation in electronics and control engineering at NTB (now OST — Ostschweizer Fachhochschule), Pascal joined Schmid Automation in spring 2019. He has worked in the software department for almost five years. “During my time as a software engineer, I was able to realise many projects in a wide range of industries. Two projects are particularly memorable. Firstly, the automation of a chocolate factory that developed a new process for chocolate production and secondly, the first major pharmaceutical project that Schmid Automation was able to implement,” summarises Pascal.
In 2024, the new Digitalisation department was founded, which Pascal now heads as Head of Department. The aim of this department is to provide our customers with optimum support and guidance during the digital transformation so that they are equipped for the future. Pascal says: “It is very exciting for me to be able to work with pioneering technologies in this department in order to generate real progress and added value for our customers. In addition, as a member of the management team, I can now actively contribute to the company’s business processes”.
Simon started his shortened apprenticeship in automation engineering at Schmid Automation in 2017 and has now successfully completed his training. “I really enjoy the daily work on varied projects,” explains Simon. As part of the trainee programme for apprentices, he completed the second half of his two-year apprenticeship in the Electrical Planning engineering department.
After successfully completing his apprenticeship, a position became available in Software Engineering, for which Simon successfully applied. He has now been working as a software engineer for 3.5 years and has already successfully realised several projects. These include a commissioning in the Ivory Coast. Alongside his job, Simon is completing a further training programme at the ZBW to qualify as an automation systems engineer. “I really appreciate the fact that I was given the opportunity to work as a software engineer after completing my apprenticeship as an “EFZ Automatiker” and can now continue my education while working,” reflects Simon.
Marcel Fust joined Schmid Automation in 2008. «The company offered me an opportunity to join them as someone coming from a different educational background, an opportunity that I didn’t hesitate to seize,» remembers Marcel as if this had happened yesterday. After completing his continuing education as a graduate electrical engineer (Dipl. Elektro-Techniker HF) at the ZbW in St. Gallen, Marcel worked for six years and a half in the Software Engineering department. Here he had the chance to familiarize himself in-depth with PLCs and process control systems such as automationX, CODESYS and TIA-Portal and to learn how to apply them. Marcel reflects: “Getting to know the new systems was easy, thanks to the excellent support I received from the Schmid team. The hands-on experience that I was able to gather during this period proved to be extremely valuable in my further career.” In 2011, the company allowed Marcel to attend a three-month language course in New York. Then, from the autumn of 2012 onward, Marcel – supported by the company – attended the MAS Business Administration and Engineering at the FHS (now OST — Ostschweizer Fachhochschule). «I then wanted to apply my newly acquired skills.” Together with the management, a new role was created as a Senior Automation Consultant, in which he supports our customers in Switzerland and abroad from the initial meeting, through stocktaking, concepts, quotations and, after successful conclusion of the contract, project management. In 2021, the Concept Planning & Consulting department was founded and he was given the opportunity to lead a small team as head of the new department. “I am very proud that I have been able to help shape the future of Schmid Automation as part of the management team since 2014,” says Marcel, summarising his career to date.
