With various projects under the motto “Mädchen machen MI(N)T!” (Girls do STEM!), the Unternehmerverband (employers’ association) wants to spark schoolgirls’ interest in technical careers.
Through a wide range of initiatives, such as the Info-Mobil or internships like the “dual orientation internship”, young girls are to be introduced to technical careers and lose their fear of technology.
The Unternehmerverband presents measures to promote women in STEM careers. At stake is nothing less than the future of “Made in Germany”.
The metal and electrical industries lack young talent: girls in particular choose technical careers far too rarely. In Bocholt, Wolfgang Schmitz, Chief Executive of the Unternehmerverband, has now presented various measures intended to spark young women’s interest in STEM careers, explaining: “It has long been an economic necessity to introduce girls to the variety of technical careers. We cannot afford to leave young women’s potential untapped and want to motivate them to take up technical careers: girls do STEM!” Jürgen Paschold of the Unternehmerverband’s regional management adds that many activities in Bocholt in particular are intended to raise awareness of the skills shortage. “But we don’t just give theoretical answers – we help companies find young talent in a very practical way. The demand for skilled workers offers young, well-trained people excellent prospects, especially in our region, which is characterised by SMEs,” says Paschold.
Current figures underline the need for skilled workers: according to a business survey by the employers’ associations in the region, 44% of companies in the metal and electrical industries see a need for skilled workers.
However, the number of young recruits leaves much to be desired: the proportion of women among apprentices in the M+E industry is only 3%. Other careers remain more popular with women. We can only speculate as to why, as thanks to state-of-the-art machinery the days of mainly physical effort in technical careers are long gone. To break down these prejudices and open up opportunities for young women and companies alike, the Unternehmerverband is carrying out a wide range of measures, which were presented in Bocholt.
The measures were presented in the “InfoMobil”. As a kind of career information centre on wheels, this high-tech bus is an excellent way to introduce girls to technical careers at their school. The machines on board make it possible above all to gain practical experience of typical activities, for example as a turner, milling machine operator or metalworker. For upper secondary school students, the “dual orientation internship” is a good way to get to know the academic side of technical careers, such as engineering degrees at a university of applied sciences.
The international student competition “Schüler macht MI(N)T” has also been aimed very successfully at students of different year groups since 2005.
The Unternehmerverband has now presented these and other projects. Chief Executive Wolfgang Schmitz concluded: “We need more women, but also more enthusiasm for STEM subjects overall. We are contributing to this, but schools, of course, also have a role to play.” Even primary schools should offer more opportunities to experiment with technology, he said. STEM subjects are crucial to Germany’s economic future. The machines, plants and products that currently make Germany so economically strong are based on strong STEM performance. “When we talk about STEM, we are not talking about a niche topic, but about Germany’s economic future – about Made in Germany,” Schmitz sums up.
Matthias Heidmeier, phone: +49 203 99367-225, heidmeier@unternehmerverband.org, ref.: MH-SF, press release (© Unternehmerverband)