Large job fair "CampusConnection" wants to help keep skilled workers in the region

More and more companies in Germany are unable to fill vacant positions because of a lack of skilled workers. This problem no longer only affects STEM professions, but also many other sectors. Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences would like to support regional companies in recruiting young talent. One measure: at the university's own job fair "CampusConnection - Your Future in the Region" on Thursday, 8 June, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., students can see for themselves the many career opportunities that "Bremerhaven and the surrounding region" offers them. The aim is for graduates to remain in the region as skilled workers instead of looking for jobs in other cities.

In order to show students the professional potential of the region, the Hochschule am Meer relies on good networking with the business community throughout their studies. Many final theses are also written in cooperation with companies. "We consider it our main task to strengthen the regional economy in particular by training young professionals. Our degree programmes are therefore directly oriented to the needs of the regional labour market. This does not only apply to our technical and natural science degree programmes. Last year, we added two new fields of study, Physician Assistant and Social Work, to our range of courses in order to ensure that we have a new generation of skilled workers in these important professional fields. In addition, we offer two practice-integrated dual courses of study. We can say that the interest of companies in cooperation and practical projects is huge," says Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. Alexis Papathanassis.

Outside of the courses, the Career Service Centre (CSC) mediates between companies and students. The "Land in Sight" programme for people who are thinking about dropping out of university has also become known beyond the region. But the staff also offer support in writing letters of application and in career orientation as well as training for career entry. The "CampusConnection" is the largest job fair ever held at the university. Together with BIS Bremerhavener Gesellschaft für Investitionsförderung und Stadtentwicklung mbH, the Career Service Centre has been able to recruit around forty companies for the event. "With the annual job fair, we want to give students an understanding of the region's economic performance and career development prospects locally. We offer employers the chance to present themselves to students with their own stand. The focus is on personal conversations and getting to know each other," says Alena Dreessen, who organised the event as an employee at the Career Service Centre. The programme also includes free application checks and a regional street food event.