Katja Lilu Melder from Hamm, a specialist in demolition and renovation, currently has lots of appointments, including a photo shoot and an appearance on WDR. She came second in the first online vote for "Miss Crafts".
The "Miss Crafts" competition aims to highlight the diversity of the skilled trades and inspire young women in particular to take up skilled trades professions. In Melder's professional field, only 0.8 percent are women, something she wants to change.
After training as a hotel manageress and several years in event management, Melder switched to the skilled trades. She became a construction technician and welder, studied business administration and founded BMG Santec for demolition and building renovation in 2017.
Melder emphasizes the openness of her company to all genders and stresses that physical work is done as a team. She is committed to environmental and climate protection by renovating existing buildings instead of building new ones.
By taking part in the competition, Melder hopes to share her enthusiasm for the trades and motivate young people to train in the trades.