A shortage of 33,000 skilled workers in the maths, IT, natural sciences, technology (STEM) sector in north Germany alone is likely to worsen in the coming years. Baby boomers or those born between the mid-1950s to mid-1960s are retiring and STEM specialists are needed to come up with solutions for social transformation and to tackle the most pressing issues of our time.
Trying out technical professions with Young Talents Hamburg Club
The call button above the airplane seat flashes and beeps to alert the cabin crew to a request. However, as this aircraft is a replica, crew members are nowhere in sight. The passengers are 20 young people who are having a great time trying out all the buttons as part of the Young Talents Club Hamburg (YOTA) "Summer Camp Flying" scheme. They are spending the morning at the Hamburg Centre of Aviation Training-Lab (HCAT), attending a lecture on aircraft information systems and operating an aircraft toilet before heading to the airport in the afternoon. Their itinerary also includes a visit to HAW Hamburg, Lufthansa Technik, the Centre of Applied Aviation Research, Airbus, Diehl, jetlite and the option of trying out a glider flight at the Fischbek Gliding Club. All these activities are part of YOTO's big push to get young people interested in technical professions.
Shortage of skilled labour in STEM fields
20 years of "Fascination of Flying"
Hamburg Aviation Network realized 20 years ago the importance of encouraging the next generation to take an interest in these professions. These deliberations marked the start of HAW Hamburg's lecture series "Technology for Children. Fascination of Flying" for eight to 12-year-olds. What began as a lecture has long since morphed into a comprehensive scheme for all kinds of technical professions or YOTA as part of Hamburg Invest's Talent Services. The scheme helps companies present themselves as attractive employers and especially to talented young professionals. All the skills needed in future are highlighted as part of the umbrella initiative Entrepreneurial Education to bolster competitiveness throughout the region.
Young Talents Hamburg Club
"Our job is to help companies recruit young talent," said Heike Blume, Head of Talent Services at Hamburg Invest. YOTA and its partners organise taster days, career speed dating, one-day workshops or even entire camps. Up to 50 annual schemes for primary school pupils and secondary school pupils are on offer. Topics on the agenda include games, shipping, techno mathematics, mobility, hydrogen and aviation. The Talent Services division also assists companies with their search for suitable talent and advises on all aspects of recruitment in Hamburg. Thus, Hamburg Invest helps find, promote and retain talented professionals.
Companies at heart of scheme
Hamburg Airport has partnered YOTA from the very start. "The aviation industry is facing major changes, especially in terms of sustainability. Thus, it is all the more important to get young people interested in all the exciting professions across our sector," said Johannes Scharnberg, Head of Communications, Politics and Environment at Hamburg Airport. One of the younger partners of the summer camp is jetlite, a startup for lighting technology that combats jet lag. The startup has been part of the summer camp since 2022. Achim Leder, Managing Director of jetlite, pointed out: "Showing the many facets of aviation is great. It is not simply about the engine, but also about something as small as lighting." Thus, it is all the more important to get get young people interested in the aviation industry, no matter which profession they opt for.
Initiatives for promoting STEM
The (MINT) or STEM Forum also pools numerous extracurricular activities to get children and young people interested in maths, IT, science and technology …a welcome development, according to Blume. Now in her 20th year at YOTO, she and her colleague Lukas Soltysiak note the rising demand. More and more children, youths and companies are keen on joining the scheme. "We welcome every new company willing to take part," says Blume. And the demand is leading to even more new subjects.
Tomorrow's talents
People on LinkedIn had a plenty of positive things to say about YOPTA's summer camp on flying. One remark reads: "It's great to see that the summer camp on flying is still going strong! I took part when I was at school, and it was a great experience that I remember fondly. I'm really pleased that projects like this get young people interested in technology and airplanes early. I'm now a Master's student in aerospace engineering."
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Sources and further information
Upcoming dates
Maritime Talent Day: September 25, Digital Hub Logistics, Commerce/Am Sandtorkai 32, 2 p.m. Students and youths can discover all kinds of exciting careers in the maritime and logistics industries during the Maritime Talent Day held by the Logistik-Initiative Hamburg, the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany, and the German Maritime Center. Visitors can expect a fun day with a wide range of events including a tour of the port that brings the maritime environment to life.
Creative Lab: Your aeroplane from the laser cutter – October 11, Open Lab, Helmut Schmidt University/Holstenhofweg 85, 10 a.m. Participants can learn all about digital design, laser cutting, assembling a model aeroplane playfully, engineers' work and the use of laser cutters.
Autumn Camp Flying for Girls: October 27- 29, various venues
Girls can spend three days gaining exciting insights into the world of aviation. Factory tours, experiments and hands-on workshops give them a close-up of the industry – from technology to job applications. Airbus, Hanse-Aerospace and the German Aerospace Centre will open their doors to the next generation and bring career prospects within reach.
Autumn Camp: Shipping & Aviation: October 30-31, various venues
YOTA's two-day camp takes participants high up into the world of aviation and down low into shipping. On the first day, young people can try out a flight simulator, and on the second day go sailing and do rope work at the harbour museum making for a fascinating exploratory tour of work.
Join in and encourage young people
Companies that would like to attract young people to their industry can join the scheme or devise events with YOTA e.g., workshops, company visits or hands-on activities. These are just some of the many ways of showing young people what they do and attracting the next generation of skilled workers.
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