Second chance for Giessen trainees: Youth workshop fights for survival!

Second chance for Giessen trainees: Youth workshop fights for survival!

Not all young people are able to successfully complete their school or vocational training on the first attempt. In the Gießen Youth Workshop, a facility run by the Protestant Church, these same young people are given a second chance. Here, the participants are not only taught new technical knowledge, but also individually adapted learning is made possible in order to meet the different needs of the young people.

There are currently 21 trainees doing their apprenticeships in this facility in professions such as carpentry, metalworker or salesman. An example of what this training looks like is 19-year-old Laura. She has already made a box for shoe shine brushes in the youth workshop. Despite several applications, she was unable to find a regular training position. Her learning difficulties meant that she was unable to achieve the required grades. Things are different here in the youth workshop: “The pace of work is adapted to you,” says Laura, describing her positive experience and emphasizing that she feels more comfortable here than in a conventional company.

High success among trainees

The numbers speak for themselves: around 80 percent of trainees who start their apprenticeship in the youth workshop complete it successfully. The trainer Waldemar Hehn explains that the aim of the facility is to prepare the participants not only for further training, but actually for the first job market. Many former graduates have now founded their own companies or have been successfully employed in various craft businesses.

But despite this impressive success rate, the future of the Gießen youth workshop is in jeopardy. For over 40 years, the workshop has played a central role for many young people who had a difficult start in life and are looking for a sustainable financing solution. However, this is increasingly becoming a challenge.

Financing problem

The youth workshop is largely financed by the Protestant church and the state job centers. However, they are currently having to make savings due to economic cuts, which is worrying for the future of the facility. The federal government's planned budget draft for next year already includes less money for supporting the unemployed. This could have a significant impact on the youth workshop, as director Mirjam Aasman is already expressing concerns: “In the worst case, this would mean that many young people would not be able to successfully complete their training.” This would not only jeopardize vocational training, but also young people's chances of finding a stable job after their apprenticeship.

An example of the usefulness of such investments in the youth workshop is Marcel, who completed his training there nine years ago. He is one of the successful graduates and now works as a cutting machine operator in a well-known company in the region. He was able to overcome his initial difficulties, including family problems and aggression, thanks to the support of the youth workshop. He is convinced that it would be a wrong decision to save money in such areas: “Without the youth workshop, I would not have had a chance to prove myself,” he sums up.

There are opportunities for graduates in the region, particularly due to the current skills shortage. Companies are increasingly looking for qualified young talent, which also benefits graduates of the youth workshop. Laura, who also hopes for a successful apprenticeship, emphasizes: “We are always looking for carpenters.” It is therefore crucial for them that sufficient resources are provided so that other young people can also receive this valuable opportunity.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop for the Gießen youth workshop. If the financial conditions deteriorate, this would not only be a setback for the institution itself, but also for the countless young people who are getting their second chance at training and a job here.

For further information on this topic, we recommend taking a look at the current reporting www.hessenschau.de.