"Young Welders are Our Future"

Whether district or national competitions – Liebherr Hamburg has been actively involved in the national Young Welders Competition (Jugend schweißt) for over ten years. Ronald Pajuelo, Deputy Chairman of the Federal Working Group, explains in an interview why supporting young talent is so close to his heart and which successes he has already celebrated with “his” protégés.

Mr. Pajuelo, since when has Liebherr Hamburg been involved in the Young Welders Competition?

Ronald Pajuelo: We have been supporting the competition since 2011/2012 – at the federal, state and district levels. In addition to sponsorship, we provide our workshops for training and also personally accompany the young participants. It’s not just about technical skills; we aim to foster enthusiasm and motivation among the youth.

What role do you personally play in the competition?

I have been a member of the Federal Working Group since 2012 and even Deputy Chairman since 2014. I have also served as a team leader at competitions and closely support participants, whether in preparation or on-site. Sometimes we travel together, train again and give that final motivational boost. At Liebherr, we also provide our participants with spaces to practice for the competition.

Why is Liebherr’s involvement in this area so important?

Welding is a central part of our work – whether in steel construction, cranes, or extending the service life of large machinery. But above all, we want to nurture young talent and show them that this craft has a future. For us, it’s an investment in the next generation.

What has been a particular highlight for you in the competition?

Most recently, I was thrilled that Hamburg-Schleswig-Holstein achieved second place in the team competition. And Tim von Trzebiatowsky from Hamburg, whom I personally mentored, won gold in the individual competition. Such successes motivate us every year to continue our commitment.

Thank you!