School-Plus: Kassel students discover their professional goals in the company!

in Kassel took part in the “Schule-Plus” project for the first time, which is carried out in the Schmidtsch Schack Arvos in Bettenhausen. The students spend two hours in a company every Monday to get to know a apprenticeship. This project is an initiative of the School Industry North Hesse network and the Hessenmetall North Hesse employers' association.

The participants come from the Heinrich Schütz School and the Johann-Hinrich-Wichern Realschule. Three companies are involved in the pilot phase: Schmidtsche Schack Arvos, Alstom and Rheinmetall. So far, the “Schule-Plus” project has only been active in North Hesse and Middle Hesse, and it is promoted by the Johann Textor School in Haiger (Lahn-Dill-Kreis). The aim of the project is to prepare students specifically for training positions and to counteract the trainee deficiency.

goals and advantages of the project

The training manager Andreas Kühne and the HR manager Ahinora Popova-Cecco are committed and actively support the project. Students already report positive experiences and interest in training as a plant mechanic. In the training year 2023/24 there were 100 apprenticeships in North Hesse, but only 89 applicants.

The concept of "Schule-Plus" includes a voluntary, regular and sustainable internship model for students that is offered at secondary schools as part of the full day. The internships usually extend over two years, with the students taking part a week for at least two school hours. The origin of the project is the Johann Textor School in Haiger, which is now successful nationwide.

The philosophy of the project is based on voluntariness, self -interest and commitment. It offers the students a simple accessibility to practical professional orientation and promotes the possibilities in recognized professions at an early stage. The participants have the prospect of reducing training and should be secured as future young people.

For more information on participating schools and companies, interested parties can contact Talisa Dean from School Industry Osthessen. For further details on the student projects, a look at the websites of hna and School economy Osthessen .