The “Unternehmerverband” wants to raise the interest of girls in technical jobs with some projects themed “Girls do MI(N)T!”.

Through different facilities, for example the “Info-Mobile” or the “duales Orientierungspraktikum“ the young girls should be introduced to technical jobs and thus lose their fear of technology.

Entrepreneurs' association presents measures to promote women in MINT professions. This is about nothing less than the future of "Made in Germany".

There is a lack of young talent in the metal and electrical industry: girls in particular choose technical professions far too rarely. Wolfgang Schmitz, CEO of the employers' association, now presented various measures in Bocholt to arouse the interest of young women for MINT professions and explains the project: "It has long been an economic necessity to introduce girls to the variety of technical professions. We cannot afford to let the potential of young women go unused and would like to motivate them to take up technical professions: Mädchen macht MI(N)T!“ Jürgen Paschold from the regional management of the entrepreneurs' association adds that they want to raise awareness of the issue of a shortage of skilled workers, especially in Bocholt, with many activities. "However, we do not only provide theoretical answers, but also help companies in a very practical way to find young talent. The need for skilled workers offers young, well-trained people excellent prospects, especially in our region, which is dominated by medium-sized businesses.," says Paschold.

The current figures support the need for skilled workers, because according to a business survey by the employers' associations in the region, 44 % of the companies in the metal and electrical industry see a need for skilled workers.

The number of young people, however, leaves much to be wished for, as the quota of women trainees in the ME industry is only 3 %. As before, other professions are more popular with women. We can only speculate why, because the times of mainly physical exertion in technical professions are long gone thanks to modern machinery. In order to break down these prejudices and open up opportunities for young women and companies alike, the employers' association is implementing a variety of measures, which were presented in Bocholt.

The "InfoMobil" provided the framework for the presentation of the measures. This high-tech bus is a kind of vocational information centre on wheels and an excellent way to introduce girls to technical professions at their school. The machines on board make it possible to gain practical experience of typical occupations, e.g. lathe operator, milling cutter or metal worker. The "Dual Orientation Internship" is an opportunity for girls in the upper secondary school to get to know the academic side of technical professions, e.g. studying engineering at a university of applied sciences.

The international school competition "Schüler macht MI(N)T" has also been targeting pupils of different grades with great success since 2005.

The entrepreneurs' association now presented these and other projects. Managing Director Wolfgang Schmitz concluded: "We need more women, but we also need more enthusiasm for the STEM subjects. We are making a contribution to this, but of course the schools also have a role to play." says Schmitz. Even in primary schools, there must be more opportunities to experiment with technology. The STEM subjects are decisive for Germany's economic future. The machines, systems and products that currently put Germany in such a good economic position are due to strong STEM achievements. "When we talk about MINT, we are not talking about a special topic, but about Germany's economic future - about Made in Germany," Schmitz sums it up.

Matthias Heidmeier, Telefon: 0203 99367-225, heidmeier@unternehmerverband.org, Zeichen: MH-SF, Pressemitteilung, (© Unternehmerverband)