In order to meet the challenges of the future, there is a lack of young talent, particularly in the technical disciplines. In the field of education and training, many players such as companies, chambers of industry and commerce, universities, colleges and professional associations are therefore working to close these gaps. The Association of German Engineers (VDI), with its approximately 130,000 members, has also been supporting local events to inspire young people - starting at pre-school age - in the more than 50 VDIni clubs throughout Germany and the VDI Future Pilots for middle and high school students. Additional offers include the VDI-TecStatt with around 130 square meters of experimental space and the VDI-TechnoTheks in children's and youth libraries as well as the VDI-Lab in Augsburg.
Regionally, the VDI Siegen District Association, with around 1,200 members, is closely networked with local stakeholders. The support offered ranges from events for pre-school children to the Mathematics Olympiad and the IHK Upper School Prize for the districts of Siegen and Olpe. For 17 years, the VDI Siegen District Association has provided money for one of the Germany Scholarships to support very talented students at the University of Siegen. In addition, the best Bachelor's and Master's degrees in engineering courses are awarded the VDI Siegen District Association's sponsorship prize every year. This year, four certificates, each with a prize of €1,000, are expected to be presented at a ceremony.
With the cooperation agreement between the Center for Sensor Systems (ZESS) and the VDI Siegener Bezirksverein e.V., the range of support is now being extended to the next level of education, the doctoral students. The object of the agreement is the annual support of scientific communication and exchange across specialist boundaries through joint lecture events and other measures, for which the VDI Siegener Bezirksverein e.V. provides its voluntary support and money, for example for trips to conferences or specialist publications. The aim is to network the members of the VDI Siegener Bezirksverein e.V. more closely with the ZESS.
