At C. Møllmann & Co., apprentices aren’t just the workforce of the future – they are full team members from day one. For Melissa Simone Carlsen, joining the company was a turning point that saved her dream of becoming a painter.
Before Melissa Simone Carlsen walked through the door at C. Møllmann & Co. in the spring of 2024, she was close to giving up.
She had already been an apprentice elsewhere for a year and a half, but her experiences there had left her doubting whether she had any future in the profession at all.
– I was close to quitting altogether. I loved the craft, but I often felt unwelcome. There were days when I was yelled at or harshly criticized in front of others, and I often stood alone without help, even when I spoke up or asked for guidance, says Melissa.
Through an acquaintance, she got in touch with master painter Glenn Larsen, who invited her for an interview. From there, things took off.
– I was met with openness and understanding. Glenn just said, “Be honest – we'll figure it out.” It was the first time I experienced someone actually listening, she says.
Since then, Melissa's everyday life has been turned upside down. She has been given new challenges, responsibilities – and most importantly, a sense of belonging.
– I get to try many different tasks and can feel that they trust me. Of course, I make mistakes – everyone does. But here, I learn from them. It has made a huge difference, and I have regained my self-confidence, she says.
At C. Møllmann & Co., Glenn Larsen mentors five to six apprentices at a time, serving both as a professional sparring partner and a trusted source of support.
– We are dealing with young people. They need to learn a trade – but they also need to learn to stand on their own two feet. If they are unhappy, they will not learn. That is why I always ask them how they are doing – both professionally and personally, says Glenn.
His philosophy is simple: if you are functioning well on a personal level, you will also function well as an apprentice. That’s why he regularly checks in with them and ensures they are assigned tasks where they can collaborate effectively with master craftspeople and journeymen.
– If an apprentice has had a difficult time in the past, as Melissa did, we make a plan together. For example, she wanted more courses in painting techniques and wallpapering, and we have set that in motion. It is important that she feels that we believe in her, he says.
Cooperation with vocational schools is also an important part of his daily work. Glenn knows many of the teachers personally and follows up with them regularly to discuss the apprentices' professional development.
– It means a lot that we have a good dialogue with the schools – it makes it easier to keep track of how the apprentices are doing and to support them where they need it most, he says.
Møllmann & Co. is one of Denmark's oldest painting companies – founded in 1879 – and today has around 175 employees across the company and its sister company Nielsen & Kromann. Despite its long history, the company is driven by a modern culture where structure, freedom, and mutual respect go hand in hand.
– We have a very clear culture of always speaking to each other properly. Feedback must be professional and constructive – never personal or harsh, says General Manager Christian Ravn.
Every Friday, management reviews apprentices’ well-being and development, making them a standing item on the agenda. This ensures task variety, timely follow-up on challenges, and strong collaboration with schools.
– We have a responsibility to ensure that they learn something – and that requires planning. But it's also about having fun at work. When apprentices thrive, they develop faster – and then they often stay with us when they have completed their training. This benefits both them and us, says Christian Ravn.
Today, the company has 23 apprentices, and they expect to reach around 35 within a few years. Almost 90 percent stay with the company after completing their training – a testament to an environment where apprentices thrive.
Møllmann & Co. is part of Håndverksgruppen – the leading surfacing contractor in the Nordics with around 5,000 employees across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. Here, working with apprentices is not only a priority but a strategic cornerstone of the group's ESG work.
Frederik Stage Olsen, Managing Director of HG Denmark, explains:
– At the group level, we have set a goal for apprentices to make up 12 percent of all employees by 2030 – up from around eight percent today. In Denmark, we already have 12 percent, but there’s still a strong focus on taking on more people each year and ensuring they thrive and remain in the trade, he says.
To achieve this goal, Håndverksgruppen has established a clear set of roles and responsibilities across the group:
Regional managers regularly follow up to ensure that the General Managers of the local companies – for example, Christian Ravn at C. Møllmann & Co. – prioritize apprentices and work actively to make well-being, inclusion, and safety part of everyday life.
The General Managers are responsible for ensuring that apprentices receive a well-structured introduction, continuously develop their professional skills, and experience a safe environment where signs of insecurity or exclusion are addressed through open discussions and clear leadership.
At the same time, all leaders and employees in the group receive ongoing training in Code of Conduct designed to prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination – supported by an anonymous whistleblower channel.
– Ultimately, it's about culture. We want to be known as an industry where people are treated properly – regardless of age, gender, or background. That's why we also place great emphasis on attracting more female apprentices, and companies such as C. Møllmann & Co. are making a huge difference in this regard, says Frederik Stage Olsen.
He emphasizes that Håndverksgruppen not only measures financial results, but also whether the local companies fit in with its values.
We only accept companies into the group that share our view of humanity. That is crucial, he says.
Melissa is set to complete her painter apprenticeship on December 12, 2025. And whereas two years ago she was considering dropping out, today she is looking forward to continuing in the trade.
– I feel like I'm part of a community now. I can come to work and be happy – and I know that what happened before won't ruin my future. I'm proud of where I am today, she says with a smile.
The company is always looking for new apprentices for their many projects in Copenhagen and the surrounding area.
If you are interested in an apprenticeship, please send an unsolicited application to info@cmoellmann.dk or call 44 54 34 00.