Ludwig Quidde’s likeness is emblazoned on the door, including some information about this “historical personality of the month,” according to the headline. Next to it on the wall is a colorful poster about “Weapons & Armor” of the Middle Ages as well as self-designed diagrams of ancient Rome – from the Circus Maximus to the Via Appia. In short, in this classroom at the Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn high school, you can see at first glance what the young people are being taught here – in this case in the subject of history. But in addition to such classic teaching content, the students, especially those in the older years, should also gain an insight into the professional world. “We didn’t want to be an ivory tower for a long time,” says headmistress Claudia Gantke. “The opening towards the economy is important for us.”
In the Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn high school, this opening is taking place, among other things, through so-called educational partnerships with companies from the region, which are accompanied and supported by the IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria. To date, the school has concluded contracts with four companies: BSH Hausgeräte in Neuperlach, the Brauereigasthof Aying, Ketek GmbH from Perlach, which specializes in measurement and control technology, and the chemical company United Initiators in Pullach. On Monday afternoon, these companies all sent representatives to the school – mostly trainees who give the eleventh graders tips for their careers, present their companies and answer questions.
Companies are now finding it “hellishly difficult” to find skilled workers
In addition to such information events, the partner companies would also support the school with application training, for example, says Tatjana Graf, who, as the coordinator for professional orientation (KBO), is the central contact person for such things at the high school. In addition, the companies offer the students summer jobs and internships and are also otherwise available to advise them. “It’s just something different when you have a specific contact person at a company – and not just the career portal on the Internet,” says Tatjana Graf. And Florian Kaiser from the IHK also emphasizes: “The educational partnerships are a great tool for schoolchildren to get to know the economy.” The companies, in turn, could make contact with young people in this way in order to possibly win them over as employees. Because, according to Kaiser: “Companies in Bavaria are now finding it extremely difficult to find skilled workers in almost all sectors.”
In any case, Amelie Stiglmair thinks it’s good that her school looks beyond the horizon and towards the professional world. “Because of all the exams and everyday school life, you often don’t have the time to sit down and orientate yourself,” says the eleventh grader. “It’s good when you get a little push from the outside.” She signed up for offers from Ketek and United Initiators at the company day. “It’s a nice way to get an insight into the economy,” says Amelie Stiglmair. In the past two years, such offers have been almost impossible due to the pandemic, regrets Florian Kaiser from the IHK. “The whole career orientation was broken because of Corona. That’s why we have to catch up a lot.” After all, he himself “experienced a certain lack of prospects” in conversations with many young people, according to Kaiser.
17-year-old Amelie Stiglmair, on the other hand, already has a relatively clear idea of what to do after she graduates from high school. She definitely wants to study, she says, probably a combination of medicine and business administration. However, the eleventh grader sees it positively that the educational partnerships also present dual studies or training as an alternative to university. “I know many who didn’t even know what opportunities there were in this area,” says Stiglmair. The need for information is correspondingly large here. Because, as the 17-year-old says and grins: “The future is coming faster than expected.”