Success for Schuleplus: Offenbach students conquer the world of work!

Success for Schuleplus: Offenbach students conquer the world of work!

The innovative professional orientation project "Schuleplus" successfully started in Offenbach at the Mathilden School. On January 20, 2025, the official start of participation in the project at Manroland Sheetfed GmbH took place. Four students and one student of the Mathilden School have the opportunity to regularly gain practical experience in one of the leading companies for offset printing machines.

“SchulePlus” was originally developed at the Johann Textor School in Haiger and has now expanded into a nationwide program. The goal is to give young people an early stage of the world of work and to show perspectives for the professional future. In Offenbach, several schools and companies take part in this project, including the Fulda and Apollonia Dental. Participation in the project gives students the opportunity to choose from local companies, which creates a close connection to the region.

regular practical experience in the company

The students work in the Manroland training workshop and produce practical objects such as candle holders and a cell phone adhesion. Such activities not only offer practical experience, but also show the advantages of training in the company. Matthias Derzbach, the head of the training center near Manroland, emphasizes that "Schuleplus" is a voluntary, regular and sustainable internship model. Among other things, the young people learn that there is a tariff-bound 35-hour week and a training content of 1,223 euros in the first year of training.

according to schoolwirtschaft-osthessen.de takes place once a week for at least two hours in the afternoon and offers continuous practical experience over a period of two years. Judith Zytar, the coordinator for professional and study orientation at the Mathilden School, is positive about the concept and the associated opportunities for the students.

a nationwide showcase project

The project has to rely philosophy, voluntariness, self -interest and commitment of the students. The initiators of “Schuleplus” see the importance of these approaches to promote future specialists of tomorrow and to meet the needs of the economy. Talisa Dean, the head of school economy Osthessen, emphasizes that such initiatives are decisive in order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers and to secure offspring, especially in recognized training professions.