Regional education advisory board launches training offensive

The coronavirus crisis is currently leading to two bottlenecks on the training market. Too few graduates are applying for vacant training places - partly because they are unsettled by the difficult situation. At the same time, some companies are finding it difficult to offer training places. The economic situation is too unclear for them.

Hanover Region

Members of the Regional Education Advisory Board, which brings together training and labor market stakeholders, are therefore launching two training campaigns. The campaign "Digga muss los! Training is waiting." is also aimed at those interested in training, while the claim "Klar bilden wir aus!" is intended to address training companies. The overarching aim is to bring both parties together.

There are currently 6211 registered vocational training positions and 6121 potential applicants in the region. In many sectors, the ratio of vacancies to applicants is no worse than in the previous year despite the current coronavirus crisis. However, contact restrictions and canceled events have made it more difficult than usual for both companies and those interested in training to get in touch with each other.

Hanover Region

In order to draw attention to the situation on the training market, members of the Regional Education Advisory Board are now launching a campaign aimed at both those interested in training and companies. In future, messages that speak a clear language will be displayed on streetcars, posters and social media: Let's go, tackle an apprenticeship - despite the crisis. Both campaigns have their own address: www.digga-muss-los.defürfor those interested in training andwww.ausbilden-lohnt-sich.defürfor companies.

There, people looking for training can find information and support offers from the participating partner institutions. Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH supports the campaign by providing advertising space.

Hanover Region

The cooperation between the partners of the Regional Education Advisory Board has also proven itself in times of coronavirus. Ulf-BirgerFranz, Head of Economic Affairs for the Hannover Region, agrees: "Right now, it's important to not just focus on coronavirus, but to look to the future. We can only be economically successful again if we boldly train people now. The campaigns should appeal to companies and potential trainees alike."

"Over the next few years, thousands of well-trained specialists will be desperately needed in the Hannover Region. The baby boomer generation is pushing into retirement and needs to be replaced in companies. With a completed apprenticeship, the opportunities in the future are better than ever," says Dr.Horst Schrage, Managing Director of the Hanover Chamber of Industry and Commerce,underliningthegood career prospects in company-based training. "The training market for young people is still wide open this summer, as many companies will not start training until the fall due to coronavirus. It's worth applying!"

Dr. Carl-Michael Vogt, Deputy Managing Director of the Chamber of Skilled Crafts, pointsout the supply situation in the skilled trades sector: "Our member companies are currently offering around 820 apprenticeships in our apprenticeship exchange, which is 10 percent more open apprenticeships than in the previous year. The corona-related challenge is to match supply and demand and motivate young people to take up an apprenticeship. The skilled trades sector offers secure apprenticeships and jobs. We welcome the joint campaign, which complements the activities of the Chamber of Skilled Crafts in a targeted manner."

Susanne Langenkamp, Head of Vocational Guidance at the Hanover Employment Agency, knowsher way around the training market: "This year, the selection of companies and the decision by young people to take up a training position has shifted to the summer months. Young people who register with us now have a good chance of finding a training place. In the sales sector, there are only 200 applicants for over 500 training places. We are looking for junior staff in the areas of health and care, building construction and electrical engineering, as well as in many tax offices."

Dr. Volker Schmidt, Managing Director of the Employers' Associations in Hanover, emphasizeshow important it is for companies to promote young talent: "In the current situation, our companies are doing everything they can to be fit for the future and secure their existence. This means ensuring solvency and liquidity. However, in order to have a sustainable future, this also means that they must continue to train young talent and invest in the skilled workers of tomorrow. After all, securing the next generation of skilled workers is the real task of the future. Because our companies depend on the expertise of their employees in order to remain innovative. I would therefore not only like to congratulate our school leavers on their successful graduation, I would also like to call out to you: Take a look at the many exciting apprenticeships offered by our Hanover-based companies!"

Torsten Hannig, DGB Regional Managing Director at the German Trade Union Confederation,agrees: "We would like to encourage all young people to apply for an apprenticeship despite the difficult times. Those who are well trained today will secure a job for the future!"

Stefan Bode, Member of the Management Board of the Jobcenter Region Hannover, adds: "Not having a vocational qualification is a common reason for not having enough income to live on. That is why it is important to the Jobcenter Region Hannover that all young people successfully complete an apprenticeship. The training market offers many opportunities. And the Jobcenter offers young people a wide range of support to seize these opportunities."

The Regional Education Advisory Board, an association of important players in the transition from school to work in the Hannover Region, has set itself the task of further developing and bundling education, training and qualification measures. It is made up of over 20 institutions from the Hannover Region, including the Hannover Region, the Hannover Chamber of Crafts (HWK), the Hannover Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the Hannover Employment Agency, the Hannover Region Job Center, the General Employers' Association (AGV) Hannover und Umgebung e.V. and the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) Lower Saxony Central Region.