How can the training of young skilled workers in SMEs be improved? What challenges and opportunities do trainers see? With these questions in mind, CDU politician and Bundestag member Mareike Lotte Wulf visited us yesterday to discuss the “status of training” with our HR colleagues. This topic is also of interest at the district level, as evidenced by the participation of CDU district councillors Thorsten Bund and Hans-Ulrich Siegmund.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to share our impressions and experiences with you. Dialogue with politicians is very valuable for us,” said HMF Head of Human Resources Dr Katharina Tadje during the conversation with our guests. HMF has been a training company since its inception. As an internationally active specialist in mission-critical communication solutions with our own development and location in rural areas, training our own junior specialists, particularly in the field of IT system integration, plays an increasingly important role for us. However, with falling numbers of applicants and a shortage of skilled workers, recruiting young talent is proving difficult.

Challenges for Young Talent: Support from Schools and Better Transport Connections Needed

To continue addressing the growing challenges of work and training for young people in our company, the HMF team seeks more support from schools in preparing prospective trainees for their careers. “We would also like to see more intensive exchange and closer cooperation with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, as well as with local vocational schools. From our perspective, the theoretical training there could be more practice-oriented,” says HR Manager Annett Peinz.

For prospective HMF trainees, especially those under the age of 18, good accessibility to their workplace by public transport is also crucial. However, from HMF’s perspective, there is an urgent need for improvement: buses only run to the location a few times a day. “As a result, promising candidates have decided against training with us,” reports Dr Tadje.