DIL goes to school
Artland Gymnasium and research institute agree on cooperation
[Translate to English:] Beim Unterzeichnen des Kooperationsvertrags: OStD Manfred Ernst und Dr. Volker Heinz in Anwesenheit von Reinhard Scholz (Stadtdirektor Quakenbrück & Samtgemeindebürgermeister Artland) und Dr. Reinhold Kassing (Erster Kreisrat Landkreis Osnabrück; stellvertretender Vorsitzender des DIL Aufsichtsrats)
Why not form a local network to pursue a common goal, namely to provide a problem solution for the lack of skilled workers in this region? This was the idea behind the cooperation agreement signed on Friday by the principal of the Artland Gymnasium (secondary school) in Osnabrück, OStR Manfred Ernst, and the director of the German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL), Dr. Volker Heinz. This cooperation shall give students some practical insights into the food industry.
Today, many companies have problems finding qualified personnel. This also applies to the food industry which is the fourth-largest industrial sector in Germany. The center of the food industry is in the north-west of Germany which is our region. Therefore, it is necessary to lay the foundation for the development of specialized workers in order to keep competency and knowledge in the region.
Within the framework of the cooperation between the Artland Gymnasium and the DIL, practical experience from the industry shall be introduced into everyday school life. Dr. Heinz explains: “The DIL is a research institute that approaches innovation from different angles, starting with the development of products such as nut bars, ice cream and sausage, to the optimization of the industrial production processes and ending with the construction of specialized machines and improvements in the field of food safety. Therefore, it is not surprising that we use our experience to offer career guidance to young people. With this cooperation we now have the opportunity to introduce the exciting and multifaceted field of food processing to the students but also to the teachers and to provide insights into the practice.”
This cooperation includes several information and exchange activities. For example, DIL employees will supervise subject-oriented studies conducted by the students and participate in career information days. School classes can visit the DIL and students may do some practical training at the institute. For students who are seriously interested in a career in the food industry, the scientists are available for advice within the scope of a mentoring program.
“We are excited that we can now offer our students additional occupational insights”, says principal Ernst. “Added to that, the transfer to university can be made easier for these students and we as school will benefit from this cooperation because we learn more about the economical and industrial requirements. With the joint action, we hope to arouse the interest of our students in an exciting field of activity with a future."
The region of Quakenbrück also appreciates the initiative. City executive and mayor of the county Reinhard Scholz says: “Our city is always pleased when local institutes and organization cooperate for the benefit of our region.” Dr. Reinhold Kassing, deputy county manager and vice-chairman of the supervisory board of the DIL, was also present at the signing of the agreement. He adds: “It is important to further the development of future qualified personnel from the region, to bind them to the region in the long run and to prevent an emigration of know-how from the region.”
By the way, the promotion of young talents is not new to the DIL. Since 2008, the institute from Quakenbrück is also involved in teaching activities at the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück. Students from the study course “Business administration and engineering in food production” are doing practical training in the laboratories and the technical center of the DIL under the supervision of employees of the institute.
