Berufspaten Marks 15-Year Milestone, Honours Volunteers
The Berufspaten project, coordinated by Landkreis Kassel, recently marked its 15-year anniversary. The project, led by coordinator Sabine Döring, supports young individuals, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, in their transition from school to work.
Initially funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation, the project later received support from the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration. Berufspaten, or 'job mentors', provide guidance in job orientation, internship and apprenticeship searches, and application writing. Since its inception in 2008, around 300 mentorships, known as 'tandems', have been realized.
To celebrate the anniversary, 45 dedicated volunteers were honoured. These volunteers, often with backgrounds in skilled trades, health, or care, have played a crucial role in the project's success. They have conducted around 3,300 mock interviews in cooperation with ten schools since 2010.
First District Administrator Silke Engler expressed gratitude towards the volunteers for their tireless efforts and passion. The project coordinators now hope to attract more volunteers to continue supporting young people in their career transitions.
