The COACHING4FUTURE programme is proof of just how creative people can be when working in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. For 10 years, young STEM experts at higher-level secondary schools across Baden-Württemberg have been inspiring others and generating enthusiasm for technical occupations and new technologies.
The programme of the Baden-Württemberg foundation, the Südwestmetall employer association and the federal employment agency's regional directorate of Baden-Württemberg take a moment to look back.
Why do I need to learn maths and physics at school? Lots of young people are amazed when they hear that physics is used in virtual reality applications, that there's information technology behind every app, and that computer games would not be possible without maths. With the aid of interactive presentations, experiments and exhibits, the COACHING4FUTURE teams have been visiting higher-level secondary schools in Baden-Württemberg since 2008 to show which job profiles are behind technical innovations.
Since then, around 180,000 school pupils have taken up this application-oriented and practical offer. Together with the Südwestmetall employer association and in cooperation with the federal employment agency's regional directorate of Baden-Württemberg, the Baden-Württemberg foundation has done an enormous amount of work to support the next generation of qualified skilled workers in the stem disciplines.
79,000 stem positions currently remain unfilled in Baden-Württemberg
"By experimenting and trying things out for themselves, young people acquire a clear understanding of what the STEM occupations involve through COACHING4FUTURE. This makes their subsequent career decision easier and they are more likely to opt for a science degree or for technical training which they would otherwise not have considered," explains Secretary of State Volker Schebesta (Member of the State Parliament) at the programme's anniversary celebration in Überlingen.
"COACHING4FUTURE fills a specific gap in the transition from school to career or to degree," explains Christoph Dahl, Director of the Baden-Württemberg foundation. "We are doing something to combat the serious shortage of skilled workers and of young people in the technical and scientific disciplines. And for over 10 years we've been making it fun for the pupils."
According to the 2018 STEM Autumn Report, conducted by the German Economic Institute, there are currently 79,000 vacant positions in the STEM sector in Baden-Württemberg. This is despite the fact that, compared to the rest of Germany, the state has the most stem graduates (41 per cent).
Increased provision in STEM training
Over the past 10 years, the COACHING4FUTURE coaches have organised around 4,500 events involving over 2,800 school visits in Baden-Württemberg for the purpose of generating interest in technical occupations among young people. The programme was launched in 2008 with two coaches. Demand has risen constantly since then, and has resulted in a continual increase in provision. There are now three teams of two working in schools. Over the last academic year, three new workshops focusing on robots, forensics and environmental protection have been added to the provision.
The federal employment agency's regional directorate of Baden-Württemberg has been a programme partner since 2012. This has enabled career advice to be part of many of the events and also means that opportunities in the region can be highlighted. Since 2013, COACHING4FUTURE has been providing teaching and learning materials for education and training with a vocational focus, as well as for advanced teacher training. In 2015 "DISCOVER INDUSTRY – CHANCEN | BERUFE | ZUKUNFT" - a roadshow truck providing information about opportunities, careers and the future in the world of industry - joined the programme. It shows which tasks engineers in industry deal with and how much mathematics and physics is involved in our everyday products.
expedition d: New component of digitalisation
Another highlight will be added to the programme as of April 2019. "expedition d – digital technologies, applications and occupations" shows how digitalisation is changing the world of work, the opportunities this offers, and the skills which young people need to have. expedition d will celebrate its premiere on 29 April in Stuttgart.