Honouring the best of the skilled crafts and of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) - the SBB provided information about grants for talented individuals in the vocational sector.
In December 2018 in Berlin, young skilled workers from several hundred occupations received awards for their top vocational performances. The very best in their specialist areas made their way to Berlin from across Germany. At the events, the SBB provided information about the continuing training grant and the advancement grant.
"The Next Generation" was the motto for the German Central Association of Skilled Trades' (ZDH) final ceremony for the national occupational competitions "Professionals deliver" ["Profis leisten was" (PLW)] and "Good form" ["Die gute Form"]. From boat builder to dental technician, 130 national winners were present from a variety of occupations. Elke Büdenbender, wife of the German President, gave the address. "You have all chosen the path into professional life which is right for you. The proof of this is your success! You're more than just winners, you also represent 130 inspirational role models for others," emphasised Büdenbender.
As part of a ceremony, the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce paid tribute to 213 of the country's very best in 205 training occupations. This is because, on six occasions, two of the top achievers in the same training occupation achieved exactly the same number of points in their examination results. Three of them even achieved the unbeatable points total of 100 in their training examination. The address was given by Frank Walter Steinmeier, Federal President and husband of Elke Büdenbender.
The SBB was involved in the events honouring the top achievers and had an information stand about the grant programs for talented individuals in the vocational sector. The prospects for the national winners when applying for a continuing training grant for people entering an occupation are good. Those entitled to apply must have an overall training examination grade of better than "good", must come in the first three of a vocational competition at federal state level, or must be recommended with justification by the employer or the vocational school.
Those who already have several years of occupational experience are also able to apply for study support through the advancement grant. Specific occupational achievements are also required for application to this programme—but you do not have to be a national winner.