Discover the future: Grafenau students get a taste of child care and gastronomy!

Discover the future: Grafenau students get a taste of child care and gastronomy!

An important career exploration day took place at the Grafenau Special Education Center (SFZ) on June 6, 2025. Seventh and eighth grade students had the opportunity to gain practical experience in various professional fields. The event location was the Grafenau branch of the Vocational Training Center (BSZ) Campus Waldkirchen. The focus here was on giving the young participants an understanding of the practical reality of the workplace.

The students had the choice between two different areas in the morning: childcare and a combination of gastronomy and vocational preparation (BVJ). As part of child care, creative activities were offered in which the young people could, for example, immerse themselves in the art of design. This gives students the opportunity to not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but also to develop practical skills.

Career orientation through practical experience

The career exploration day is in line with the “No qualification without connection” program, which aims at career orientation from grade 8 onwards. According to information from schule-wirtschaft-ihk.de, information about career opportunities is provided at an early stage, which represents an important step in the students' professional careers. Working on your own interests and strengths is considered particularly important in order to get to know different professional fields.

Participation in such events is not only educational, but also crucial for your future career choice. Registration is required via the booking platform www.fachrechte-für-morgen.de, which provides an online database with a selection of career field research positions. In addition, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHK) offer digital events in which training ambassadors present various professions and there is the opportunity to clarify questions in special “breakout rooms”.

This type of practical career orientation is not only important for schools, but also for the regional economy, which depends on qualified young people. By experiencing jobs early on, interest in certain professional fields can be aroused and the foundation for a successful career can be laid.

Overall, the career exploration day at the SFZ Grafenau shows how important it is for schools and companies to work together to give students a well-founded insight into the professional world. The experiences gained during such events can significantly contribute to the professional development of young people and improve their future prospects.