Hessen advertises students for a career at the vocational school

• ofPeter Hanack

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Land supports metal and electronics students with 1,500 euros a month. The project is unique in Germany and starts at the universities of Darmstadt and Kassel.

For many years there has been a lack of teachers at vocational schools in Hessen. Teachers in metal and electrical engineering are particularly scarce. Hessen is now breaking new ground to find the urgently needed staff. The prospective metal and electrical engineers are to be won over to the teaching profession as early as their studies.

The state’s pilot project starts at the universities in Darmstadt and Kassel. At the beginning of the winter semester 2021/2022, master’s students in the fields of metal and electrical engineering who can imagine becoming a teacher in Hesse will have the opportunity to apply for one of 40 master’s grants. You will then receive around 1500 euros per month and have to complete several practical phases.

“Anyone studying Mint [Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften, Technik; d. Red.] generally strives for a career in business or science, ”said Minister of Culture Alexander Lorz (CDU), explaining the concept’s approach on Tuesday in Wiesbaden. “But there are also those who realize during their studies that they would like to work with students as a trained teacher.” This is exactly where the nationwide unique funding offer comes in.

During their master’s degree, the students should receive monthly financial support for up to three years. To do this, in addition to their theoretical training at the university, they attend a vocational school one day a week. In the first semester they are only supposed to sit in there, so above all to gain a first insight. In later semesters they should then also teach themselves with the support of the vocational school teachers.

The shortage of teachers continues

The lessons should be accompanied by experienced trainers. According to the Minister of Culture, these also offer events that are intended to facilitate the later transition to everyday school life for students. 20 students would be funded per location and year.

Hessen has been offering various lateral and side entry programs for working people for several years. This has not yet been able to remedy the lack of teachers. The fundamentally new thing about the master’s scholarship is that the financial aspect is already firmly anchored in the course. “In addition to direct support during their studies, our new offer also gives students the opportunity to do the subsequent preparatory service [Referendariat; d. Red.] to shorten the time and thus enter the teaching profession even faster, ”says Lorz.

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