BIBB expands vocational guidance via digital tools and apprenticeship ambassadors

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is expanding its digital outreach through the zynd.de web portal. Developed for the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the platform uses gamification and interactive tools, such as 360-degree professional field panoramas and self-reflection modules, to introduce young people to media and printing industry professions.

In a related development regarding vocational recruitment, a study conducted by BIBB and the Technical University of Darmstadt highlights the effectiveness of apprenticeship ambassadors. The research indicates that when apprentices visit classrooms to share their experiences, female students report increased knowledge and a higher likelihood of considering STEM (MINT) careers. Notably, the study found that male ambassadors can also effectively encourage female students to pursue technical and IT roles, challenging previous assumptions that only female role models are effective for this demographic.