Interview IHK-TrainingScouts

With Marc Herrmann, Maja Wolz and Saida Steiner

Introduction

The IHK training scouts provide information about their professions at eye level. In this way, they can help the students make decisions about their career choice, but also show them the possibilities and perspectives of dual training. This is not least intended to help avoid training drop-outs. At the same time, training scouts are also a figurehead for their company and can attract new potential skilled workers to their employer with an inspiring presentation.
(Source: https://www.aschaffenburg.ihk.de/bildung/fachkraefte/ihk-ausbildungsscouts-4130338)

At ProCase, we try to promote young talent and create a solid foundation for their personal future with dual training. Our current trainees Maja Wolz and Saida Steiner are taking part in the IHK programme and talk about their personal experiences as IHK-TrainingScouts in this interview.

Interview

Hello Maja, Hello Saida,

It's great that you're taking us on your journey as TrainingScouts today.

Please tell us how you came to the IHK Training Scouts via your training at ProCase?

Maja: It's nice that I can report on the IHK-TrainingScouts. I found out about the scouts in my second year of training because my colleague Aylin Ullrich was doing my current job at the time. When I was in my third year of training, I took over Aylin's job together with Saida.

Saida: Our HR manager Jennifer Bils approached me, informed me and asked if I would like to take part. I hadn't heard of it before, but I was immediately enthusiastic and accepted.

What do you want to achieve for yourselves personally with your participation in the IHK programme?

Maja: I would like to pass on my tasks and my experience in my training profession to the students so that they have a direct insight into the professional life of an industrial clerk trainee.

Saida: I want to show young students that studying is not the only and certainly not always the best solution for the path after school. Everyone is different and dual training also has its place and value, which is often not recognised. I would like to convey that to the young people.

What distinguishes the TrainingScouts from conventional training fairs or advice centres?

Maja: The direct contact between the trainees and the students is advantageous because the TrainingScouts bring in their own experiences and the relationship between students and trainees is different from that of teachers, counsellors or employers. This way, the introduction is probably also more relaxed and "direct" for the students.

Saida: TrainingScouts go directly to the students and present their specific training. This gives the young people the opportunity to find out first-hand how an training works and what advantages it brings. In addition, the age difference between the TrainingScouts and the pupils is very small, which makes us eye-to-eye contacts.

In which schools and classes do you report about your training?

Maja: So far, I have been on assignments at secondary schools and secondary modern schools. However, the IHK also supports grammar schools, but I haven't had any assignments here yet. Basically, we give our presentations in graduating classes or also in the 9th grade.

Saida: We are mainly on the road at schools in the Aschaffenburg/Miltenberg region, the IHK selects the respective schools and clarifies the organisation. These are mainly school classes that are about to graduate and are in the application phase for internships and trainings.

How does your day go when you have an appointment at one of the schools?

Maja: Most of the time, the appointment at the schools is in the morning, so I set off in our company car directly after starting work at ProCase. As soon as I arrive at the school, we meet with the person responsible for the IHK and the teacher. The assignments last about 3-4 hours. During the assignment, I give my prepared presentation about my profession and then answer the students' questions. After I return to the company, my normal working day begins.

Saida: In the morning, I come to work as normal. Depending on what time and at which school the appointment is, I then make my way to the school on time with all the materials and my presentation. There I meet another scout and Luke, who coordinates everything and is responsible for us. At the school itself, we set up the technology, then we present one after the other and the students have time to ask their questions. After the assignment, I go back to the company and continue working as usual.

What questions do you get from students again and again?

Maja: Unfortunately, many students are still a bit reserved and don't show that much interest yet. Nevertheless, my tasks and also the advantages of a training are always in great demand. Many questions are already unnecessary during the presentation.

Saida: So far I have only had one outreach. I have noticed that many students are worried about their grades and ask whether a certain cut is required to start a training.

What would you like to give other young people to take with them when they are faced with the question, "What should I do after I leave school?"

Maja: Through internships, they can get to know different professions and thus find a suitable training profession for themselves. I would also take advantage of all possible information opportunities. Examples of this are the employment agency and the training fairs.

Saida: That you don't necessarily have to be 100% sure of what you want at such a young age. You still have enough time to try out different things. If the first training doesn't suit your personal ideas, you can start another one without any problems. It is important not to put too much pressure on yourself. Moreover, trainings are never worth less than a university degree, rather the opposite.

What kind of feedback do you get from students about your work as a TrainingScout?

Maja: So far I have only received positive feedback on my presentations.

Saida: The feedback during my first assignment was very positive. Many students don't even know what is involved in an education and how many opportunities there are in this regard. I am very happy to hear that we were able to help bring light into the darkness.

What do you take away for your personal future?

Maja: Since I am a very helpful person, I really like the job as an TrainingScout because I can inspire the young people and also help them a bit. In addition, the presentations are very good practice for me personally and give me a lot of fun. The preparation and coordination in the IHK team always runs smoothly.

Saida: Doing an training was exactly the right path for me. Telling others about it and helping them with their decision is a great feeling. Even if I'm no longer a scout at some point, at least I know that I was able to help others during this time. And if at some point I want to do something else than the profession I am being trained for, I know what options I have.