Local Companies in Schalksmühle Launch Innovative Winter Vocational Training Fair

On January 23, several companies in Schalksmühle will host a unique winter market styled vocational training fair at the 8Giebel venue in Mathagen, running from 1 PM to 5 PM. This event aims to address the difficulties companies face in attracting young talent amid decreasing applicant numbers, partly due to the return to the G9 school system, which reduces the pool of students entering the job market. Unlike conventional, formal career fairs, this event encourages direct and informal engagement between students, their parents, and local businesses, featuring free refreshments such as waffles, hot dogs, and a potential candy bar to create a welcoming atmosphere. Participating businesses plan to use stamp cards to motivate attendees to interact with several companies, ensuring meaningful conversations about training and internship options. Carolin Gabel from the company Spelsberg highlighted that this approach helps spark genuine interest where traditional fairs often fall short. In addition to outreach efforts like these fairs, industry experts emphasize the importance of comprehensive occupational benefits to attract and retain employees. Alexander Schrehardt, CEO of Consilium, highlighted at the Profino Congress that with Germany’s aging workforce leading to vacancies, employers must offer competitive salaries, regulated working hours, vacation benefits, and especially occupational pension schemes (bAV) and health insurance as key incentives. Companies are encouraged to view themselves as employers marketing to prospective trainees and staff, negotiating workplace benefits proactively to reduce liability risks and enhance employee loyalty. This multifaceted approach combines innovative recruitment events with strategic employee benefits to confront current workforce challenges in Germany.