“Cleanrooms Are Just Beautiful”

Protective clothing, a sterile environment, and air locks: cleanrooms are a very special working environment. In this interview, Steve Koch, who works at Leadec’s Dresden site, talks about what it’s like to work under extremely strict conditions and what he appreciates about it.   

How can this challenge be met? 
By training employees. For example, we show people interested in the job a video of what they have to do before they enter the cleanroom. That it takes preparation and effort. For example, neither makeup nor perfume is allowed. Cell phones are also prohibited, as are eating and drinking in the workplace. And working in protective clothing is strenuous, especially since the best conditions in a cleanroom are when the air is dry and very warm. Last but not least, you have to move very slowly in the cleanroom to avoid turbulence.  
 

That sounds very demanding. Why do applicants still choose the job? 

Because we have a lot to offer. For example, we have an attractive shift system in Dresden, which our colleagues really appreciate. After 6 days on the job, they have four days off in a row. There are also other local benefits. And we are open to employees who want to make a career change. After 3 months of on-the-job training followed by an exam, they are fully operational. We provide them with mentors who support them intensively during training. 
 
What qualities should people who are interested in working in a cleanroom have?

A basic technical understanding is certainly helpful to understand what exactly happens at work and the central role of one’s own behavior. They also need to be careful and quality-conscious. But they also need to be patient and able to pay attention: cleanroom work can involve repetitive, sometimes monotonous tasks that require stamina. Otherwise, mistakes can happen quickly.  
 

You have been working in the industry for many years. What do you like about working in and around the cleanroom? 

First of all, cleanrooms are just beautiful. The clean environment, the high-tech machines and the high-quality equipment we work with, that’s really something special. Then there is our own motivation that we are part of a sustainable industry here. Because one thing is clear: we are working on the future. It is precisely this idea of being involved with highly exciting products and knowing that chips from the factory where we work are installed in smartphones as well as space rockets and research facilities. The opportunity to work at the forefront of this development and to contribute directly to the technology of the future is extremely motivating and exciting. Even after 10 years, it still excites me.