"Business meets school" pilot project successfully launched

The pilot project "Business meets school" was launched in Chemnitz at the start of the new school year. In the interests of securing skilled labour at an early stage, reductions in the timetables at secondary schools and grammar schools are to be offset by offers from business and science. Companies and universities compensate for the loss of lessons and inform pupils about various topics from the world of work and technology development by providing practical content.

This first "Chemnitz model in the field of education" was initiated by the Business Division and the Coordination Centre for Vocational Orientation of the City of Chemnitz with the chairpersons of the School-Business Working Group and in coordination with the State Office for Schools and Education. Six companies, four secondary schools and one grammar school are taking part in the pilot phase. Students from Chemnitz University of Technology are also actively supporting the programme. The district parents' council also sees a great need for action and supports the project, as it goes some way to counteracting the problem of teacher shortages.

The aim of the model is to bring more business into schools. On the one hand, this is a benefit for pupils, who have to cope with fewer lessons being cancelled and at the same time are taught mathematical, technical and physical content in a very practical way. Companies also benefit from this, as they can establish a bond with the young people at an early stage and, in the best case scenario, inspire them to join their company as future specialists.

Mayor Ralph Burghart: "The shortage of skilled labour concerns us as a society as a whole. We need to act today and prepare young people for the world of work at an early stage. If this also helps schools by compensating for individual lesson times, it will help us all. I hope that many more companies and schools will quickly join in so that a large network can soon be created that can also become a model for other regions."

Silvana Bergk, Head of the City of Chemnitz's Department of Economic Affairs: "The close interlinking of schools and business is of crucial importance for the development of Chemnitz. Our SMEs urgently need qualified young talent. Pupils are often not sufficiently informed about the potential that the city offers - innovative companies in the field of automated driving, special machine construction or various IT areas, for example. Our companies also want practical training for children and young people. We will therefore continue to intensively promote the 'Business Meets Schools' project with the clear aim of bringing every pupil in Chemnitz into contact with at least one company."

Mirko Löffler, Head of Department at Siemens AG, Plant for Combination Technology Chemnitz: "Siemens AG has been involved in the pilot project since the beginning and teaches with two plant employees. The involvement of companies in compensating for lost teaching time in schools is not only an act of social responsibility, but also an investment in the education and future of our region. Well-educated pupils are the backbone of our economic structure, which is characterised by the metal and electrical industry. This partnership is a win-win situation. The schools are given the opportunity to network regionally and show children the prospects that our region has to offer. Almost all secondary schools need this support and take up the offer from companies with great interest."

Kerstin Neubert, Acting Headmistress of the "Am Flughafen" secondary school: "From the feedback we have received from pupils in Years 8 and 9, it is important for us to continue with this project. The pupils are full of praise and very motivated. The staff are helping to ensure that there will be no further cuts in this core subject."

Following the successful start of the pilot phase of the Chemnitz education project, further companies and schools are now to be successively involved. It is possible to join the programme at any time. Companies and schools that are interested in participating can contact the City of Chemnitz's business division: wirtschaft(at)stadt-chemnitz.de.