How can young people be enthusiastic about vocational training professions?
This question was the focus of a creative future workshop held on Tuesday (13 May) at the premises of the construction company Gieseke in the Brocker Feld business park in Senden-Bösensell. Around 20 participants from businesses and schools came together to develop new ideas for career orientation in Senden.
A group of adults and a teenager at a table, having a conversation. The young people were very engaged during the future workshop.
At the initiative of the WIRtschaft Senden e.V. business association, which has existed since summer 2024 and is committed to strengthening local companies, the first exchange of ideas took place, which resulted in the workshop concept. The event was organised by Tobias Matzelle (Gieseke), Jens Hemersch (Agile Augenhöhe), Derk Strybny (Rotary Senden) and Sonja Seidler (WIRtschaft Senden e.V.). The goal was to kick off planning for a large careers event – and to do so in a practical, modern, and student-friendly way.
The opening question was: „What was your first contact with the professional world?“. The subsequent reflection immediately led to an exchange on equal terms. Afterwards, a video of the career orientation course from the previous year was shown, among other things. It served as an example of how practice-oriented formats have already been successfully implemented.
Video for career path simulator
Workshop outcome: The apprentice event of the future
In a group project, the vision arose of a multi-day job festival in the summer that makes professional worlds tangible, exciting, and entertaining.
The core ideas:
- Street food & live music in a relaxed atmosphere, for example in a central park.
- Appearances by influencers, athletes or celebrities
- Diverse participatory offers from participating companies
- Strong digital support via social media, including invitations and event updates
- Additional services for parents, e.g. information materials
- Competitions and prize draws
- Low-threshold access during school hours, embedded in everyday school life
These elements are intended to make the event a real highlight for students. It is already clear that the successful collaboration will continue in further workshops. The aim is to further develop the concrete ideas together, clarify responsibilities, and bring the job festival to life step by step. All involved agree – this process thrives on dialogue, openness, and active participation from students, teachers, and companies.
