The challenge

The shortage of skilled workers also jeopardizes South Westphalia as an industrial location in the long term, as it negatively affects technological progress and the competitiveness of local companies.

In order to successfully meet this challenge, trainees should be prepared in the best possible way and at an early stage for entrepreneurial practice in companies and equipped with increasingly relevant skills such as problem-solving skills and interdisciplinary and social skills, which have so far been underrepresented in training.

Objective & method

The aim of the project is to redesign the inter-company training (ÜBA) for the metal and electrical professions in the participating inter-company vocational training centers (ÜBS) in such a way that a tailor-made offer for the companies and a learner-centered design of the training is achieved. To this end, a joint concept is being developed, tested and evaluated with the stakeholder groups involved, which will transfer the basic metal training course into an interdisciplinary apprentice company. The aim of this concept is to create modern teaching and learning formats that not only impart specialist knowledge, but also enable trainees to work on application-oriented projects and tasks both independently and in interdisciplinary teams. The training staff take on a role in accompanying the learning process.

Expected impact / transfer

Through the use of modern technology and innovative teaching and learning formats, a unique mix of skills is imparted within the trainee company, which should be reflected in the sending companies both as a transfer of technology and skills. The trainee company represents a unique selling point for the participating ÜBS in terms of the training they offer, while for the commissioning companies from the metal and electrical industry, it offers a tailor-made preparation of the trainees for further in-house training.

The U-Stahl ade project is funded as part of the Initiative for Excellent Inter-company Training (INex-ÜBA) of the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ). "INex-ÜBA" is carried out by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).

Important partners in the project are the Vocational Training Center (bbz) of IHK Siegen e.V. (consortium leader), BZW Bildungszentrum Wittgenstein GmbH, LEWA Attendorn GmbH, FernUniversität in Hagen and the University of Siegen.