Ms. Creusen, the Corona measures have taken a hard toll on many companies. What do you think: time for a general hiring freeze?

On the contrary! Businesses must immediately review the age structure of their employees. Many people from the so-called baby boom generation will soon retire. That’s why we are massively investing in gaining new talent. For instance, our company’s need for apprentices has doubled in recent years.

As a large organisation, we find it easier to win young people. Smaller and medium-sized entities must therefore be more creative. It’s not only about the salary that attracts. In my experience, young people value genuine support: meaningful tasks, a long-term workplace to feel at home, and a trainer who listens to their concerns attentively.

From your perspective, how can the educational path of apprenticeship compete with A-levels and university studies?

Every day, I meet apprentices who are bursting with pride when they talk about their profession. Those who adore animals and plants will cherish the opportunity to care for them daily. This high level of satisfaction reflects in the long tenure within our company: those who have found their passion, feel appreciated, and are supported, remain loyal to their workplace for years.

To make this happen more often, we need better communication. Young people want to know precisely what to expect in their training: What subjects will be covered? Which specialisations can I choose? Often, companies have to intervene and guide even before the training starts to answer these questions. Moreover, the benefits of apprenticeship should be promoted more vigorously: earning money right from the start, the qualifications that can be achieved, and the diverse career opportunities on offer!

You are a passionate advocate for dual education systems. Where is there room for improvement?

We lag in digitalisation, unfortunately. It cannot be that young people organise their private lives almost entirely online, yet their education relies on paper and pencil. Every apprentice, every employee works with digital processes in practice today. They need better preparation in this area.

We also notice shortages in examiners in certain professions. There are cases where examinations are postponed, even affecting continuous professional development and further education. We should consider ways to maintain examination standards despite a decreasing number of examiners. Speaking of vocational schools: simply distributing worksheets isn’t teaching. While this isn’t the norm and often depends on individual teachers, numerous new ideas in pedagogy and methodology need to come into play.

Being young seems to grow more complex with each generation. As adults, teachers, and employers, we should meet this challenge with revised educational concepts, openness to new technologies, and above all, with immense appreciation!