School-industry partnership SchulePlus receives national award
The SchulePlus program, a collaborative effort between German businesses and schools, has won second place in the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT national competition.
The SchulePlus program, established by the Friedhelm Loh Group (including Rittal), Siemag Tecberg, and the Johann-Textor-Schule in Haiger, has been recognized with a second-place award in the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT competition. The award ceremony took place at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on November 5.
Launched in 2022, the program aims to bridge the gap between secondary education and vocational training. Unlike traditional orientation programs, SchulePlus involves vocational trainees from participating companies teaching students technical skills, such as CAD and 3D printing. Additionally, the initiative allows students to spend time in corporate training centers once a week to gain practical exposure to industrial environments.
For the participating companies, the program serves as a long-term recruitment and development tool. By engaging with students early, businesses can provide hands-on experience and prepare future apprentices, with the Friedhelm Loh Group reporting that it has already secured eight trainees through the program.