Pupils from the Kaufmännische Schule and the Johannes Brenz Gemeinschaftsschule could be seen to be a little nervous as they waited in front of the school hall of the Johannes-Brenz-Gemeinschaftsschule for the trainee speed dating. They had been preparing for the day together with their teachers for several days, and some of them had high hopes for it. On Monday, 27 March 2023, the day had finally arrived. Representatives from a total of 30 companies from the Schwäbisch Hall area had taken their seats at tables in front of the colourful display boards of their businesses, ready to get in touch with the young people. The pupils were able to hold conversations of 10 minutes each with companies that had been selected in advance. The short time slots made it possible to get to know as many companies as possible in one day, so that over 1,000 conversations took place between 8.00 and 16.00. The young people had different expectations and intentions. While pupils aiming for the Abitur were interested in dual study programmes, Realschule and Hauptschule pupils asked about specific training courses that matched their interests. Some young people took the opportunity to apply directly for an internship with a ready-made application folder, whereas others first wanted to get to know one or two companies. Whatever interest the individual young people had, all the pupils described it as rewarding afterwards: the courage to start a conversation with companies and the growing self-confidence that came with it.
The companies, too, were impressed by the format. One representative praised the excellent preparation, the smart outfits and the politeness of the pupils, which, unlike at an anonymous trade fair, was made possible by the short time slots and the familiar setting of the school. Another company stressed the opportunities that such an event offers to businesses as well. The two representatives said, with a slight smile, that they would be happy if even two interested pupils actually turned up. One company described the speed dating as the best format for recruiting trainees that it had ever helped to shape, which naturally pleased the organisers, Dagmar Zwilling from the Johannes Brenz Gemeinschaftsschule and Jürgen Hoffmann from the Kaufmännische Schule Schwäbisch Hall, and made up a little for the great deal of organisation and effort involved.
The young people would definitely take part in the trainee speed dating again, even though it did not lead to every pupil firming up their career choice. One pupil, for example, had originally wanted to go to one particular company after school, she later explained, and now she has many other career options, which she complained about. But this completely new experience of being able to introduce themselves formally to adults, to hold a conversation about their own future and to leave a good impression was embraced and carried out brilliantly by many of our pupils. We were proud that on this very day we were able to show pupils different perspectives and create a very concrete link between school and the world of work. Perhaps the one or other question will be answered during a work placement, because that is the next step for the Year 8 and Year 9 pupils of the Johannes-Brenz-Gemeinschaftsschule on their way from school to work and towards growing up.
