Technician wanted

Technical companies – particularly in the STEM fields – have a high demand for qualified young professionals. Women, in particular, are under-represented in these sectors. Jade University of Applied Sciences and the University of Oldenburg are working together to change this.

“Try it out – then study” is the motto of the “Niedersachsen Technikum”, a programme in which Jade University of Applied Sciences and the University of Oldenburg are jointly involved. The programme is aimed at female A-level graduates who are interested in the STEM subjects: science, Computing Science, nature and technology. Immediately after leaving school, they can spend six months trying out university study and a career. To do this, the young women undertake an internship at companies in the region whilst simultaneously attending a relevant course at the University of Oldenburg or Jade University of Applied Sciences. The credits earned will count towards a future degree.

“With this programme, we aim to support young women and encourage their interest in STEM subjects. Many have the potential but may not feel confident enough to undertake a degree in this field. As a ‘Technikantin’, they can simply try things out,” explains Dr Larissa Krekeler, coordinator of the ‘Niedersachsen Technikum’ at the University of Oldenburg. “Careers in STEM fields have a great need for qualified young talent and offer interesting prospects for the future,” adds Maren Deerberg, Technikum coordinator at Jade University of Applied Sciences. “The Technikum enables young women to gain concrete, practical insights into largely unfamiliar career fields, as well as to make initial contacts with future employers.”

In addition to a six-month work placement in a technical company, participants attend a weekly module at one of the two universities. They are supervised and supported by research staff. Jade University offers the Technikum programme in the departments of ‘Civil Engineering and Geoinformation’, ‘Engineering Sciences’ and ‘Management, Information and Technology’. The university covers the fields of natural sciences, mathematics and Computing Science. This means that interested women can attend first-year modules in the disciplines of applied mathematics, renewable energies, acoustics/hearing technology, marine sensor technology and Computing Science. In addition, the two universities are planning joint excursions, workshops and company visits, as well as panel discussions with women working in STEM professions.

The Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture is funding the ‘Niedersachsen Technikum’ with around 800,000 euros. Currently, nine other higher education institutions are participating in the project alongside the University of Oldenburg and Jade University of Applied Sciences. The first run of the “Niedersachsen Technikum” begins on 1 September and ends in February 2013. Interested schoolgirls can register with the University of Oldenburg or Jade University of Applied Sciences from now on. Regional companies wishing to offer an internship place for the Technikum can also contact the universities.