Giving Students a Taste of the Real World: Schwesig's Appeal to Local Businesses
Promotes commercial partnerships between corporations and educational institutions, as advocated by Schwesig - Siblings seeking financial support from businesses in educational institutions
Manuela Schwesig, the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has urged companies in the region to forge ties with schools and provide more student internships. She believes this action will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the numerous career avenues out there, emphasizing that school careers fairs, top-notch education, and exemplary apprentice programs are pointless if students lack real-world exposure.
The region reportedly offers a plethora of career possibilities, but their reach requires amplification. "I dream of a day when every company, no matter its size, has a school sponsorship. Through internships, students can sample the professional world and discover their preferences and dislikes," Schwesig passionately proclaimed.
Internships: The Key to Successful Career Orientation
On-the-job internships play a crucial role in effective career orientation. The state-funded internship premium, inspired by the craftsmanship sector, is one such incentive. However, budget constraints hinder its expansion to other industries. "Our initial agreement was to launch the premium in the craftsmanship sector, gathering experiences first," Schwesig clarified.
From mid-2024, eighth-grade students and above, who complete an internship in a craftsmanship business in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, can receive €120 per week, up to a maximum of €360. Although the state government has allocated €220,000 per year for this program, the funds were far from depleted in 2024.
Shortage of Skilled Workers and the Emphasis on Apprenticeships
Businesses in industry, trade, and services are complaining about a dearth of competent successors. With an increasing number of young people opting for academic education, apprenticeship positions remain vacant. Chambers and industry associations are advocating for a greater emphasis on dual vocational training during school hours.
Schwesig announced that the new career orientation strategy will be implemented statewide in the school year 2025/26. Primary schools will initiate the development of career choice competence from grade one, integrating practical encounters with the professional world into school life. In addition to the existing 25-day student internship, an extra five days will be introduced in grades 8 to 11 for projects with external partners.
However, a survey by the DGB revealed weaknesses in apprenticeship training. The President of the Schwerin Chamber of Crafts, Uwe Lange, anticipates that with the extended vocational orientation in schools, dual training will be acknowledged more prominently. Deficiencies in guidance and training often impede young people's professional start and the recruitment of skilled workers, as the DGB's training report stated, with only 27 percent of trainees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern finding school-based vocational orientation helpful.
While detailed information on Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's innovation strategies is lacking in the data, potential initiatives include bolstering partnerships between vocational schools and local businesses, intensifying career guidance, and integrating cutting-edge technologies into vocational training programs to attract students and match industry needs. With resources available from the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Training (KMK), the region could ensure alignment with broader educational policies within Germany.
- Manuela Schwesig, the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, is advocating for a stronger connection between local businesses and schools, pushing for more student internships to provide real-world exposure.
- Internships are considered crucial for effective career orientation, and the state-funded internship premium is one such incentive, initially designed for the craftsmanship sector but potentially expandable to other industries.
- Startlingly, the funds allocated for this program in 2024 remained largely untouched, suggesting a lack of utilization of this opportunity by businesses.
- Schwesig's new career orientation strategy, set to roll out in 2025/26, includes strengthening vocational training by integrating practical encounters with the professional world into school life, aiming to attract students and match industry needs.
