Training ambassadors for the skilled crafts sector - virtual setting
Three young people in a craft apprenticeship or studying after their apprenticeship present their job description to pupils in an online conference (90 min). They talk about their professional practice, the training process, their choice of profession, their tasks, experiences and adventures in everyday working life and the opportunities they will have after their training.
Background
In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for craft enterprises to fill all available training places. Instead of starting an apprenticeship, people prefer to attend secondary school and choose an academic career over a career in a dual training occupation. This measure is intended to increase the attractiveness of dual training again.
Since the training ambassadors who report on their training are not much older than the schoolgirls themselves, there is less inhibition to openly ask questions, and the way they report on their experiences also speaks more to the schoolgirls' world than a lecture by an adult.
Goals
The aim of the measure is to give the pupils an authentic insight into three crafts professions.
Target group
The target group are pupils in grades 7 and 8.
Procedure and content:
The event takes place virtually as a Zoom meeting or MS Team meeting.
2 training ambassadors in skilled trades (e.g. electrician, motor vehicle mechanic, carpenter) present their occupation and describe their everyday working life, their motivation to choose this occupation, the dual training process (vocational school/company) and the opportunities that this occupation will offer them later on and what goals they are pursuing with it.
1 further training ambassador has already completed vocational training and is currently studying at Rosenheim UAS. He/she reports on the experience of the transition from vocational education to higher education.
Afterwards, the students can ask questions, which the respective education ambassadors will answer.
Supporting media: PPT slides and video
Duration: The entire duration of the vocational orientation measure is scheduled for approx. 90 min.
Implementation
Stakeholders involved are the organisers of the event (a facilitator), two trainees and one student who have completed vocational training, teachers/school headmasters who invite the students to the event and promote the event.
Financial resources: Low, if existing videoconferencing systems are used, no travel costs if conducted online.
Evaluation
The measure was only carried out once, but was very successful with 86 participants. The evaluation afterwards showed a satisfaction with the measure of over 90%.
Lessons learned: What have we learned from the implementation and evaluation processes? What do we need to consider when implementing these types of programmes in our region/institution? What are the next steps?
As the quality of the internet connection can vary regionally and in order to minimise technical problems in advance, a trial session with all participants is necessary beforehand to test the connection and functions. If necessary, the presenters must be together in a room with a constantly good connection.