"Talk on site" for the Zittau "late shift"

Last Friday, Zittau hosted an “ Open Company Day” event called “Spätschicht.” The event was accompanied by a discussion forum organized by Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the Institute for Communication, Information, and Education (KIB). Visitors were able to participate in the so-called “On-Site Talk” at Stadtwerke Zittau and at digades GmbH.

The event began at 4:00 p.m. at digades GmbH with brief remarks by Zittau’s Mayor Thomas Zenker and the Prorector for Research at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Professor Tobias Zschunke. Afterward, visitors were able to explore the eleven participating small and medium-sized enterprises according to their interests. A shuttle bus provided the necessary transportation between the four central company locations.

While discussions with employees along the production chain took place at digades, Stadtwerke Zittau set up stations highlighting individual utility services such as water, gas, and heat. Everywhere, company employees and experts were on hand to gladly answer visitors’ questions about work processes, their career paths, training opportunities in various fields, and available apprenticeship positions at the respective companies.

Outgoing students from the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences served as moderators as part of the “Talk vor Ort” event. They guided even the shyest visitors—based on their individual interests—to the company employees who could best answer their questions.

In addition, our student assistants provided comprehensive information about degree programmes at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences that might be particularly appealing to guests interested in technology who are looking for training opportunities.

Based on the experience gained, the “Talk vor Ort” will now be further expanded and improved for future “late shifts.” After all, Upper Lusatia and the Zittau region offer enthusiastic young engineers good career opportunities and would benefit greatly if the numerous existing training opportunities were better utilized. The “Talk vor Ort” is intended to develop into a tool that will continue to help draw attention to and promote precisely these career opportunities and training options in the future.