Setting the course for a successful career start
The Saxony5 trainee program "Innovation trainees for Saxony" will enter a new round in 2022.
This marks the fourth time our Saxony⁵ Trainee Program has been launched. This free training program was developed as part of the Saxony5 project and offers graduates of Saxony’s five universities of applied sciences ideal conditions for a successful start to their careers.
Eligibility Requirements for the Trainee Program
Your field of study is not a determining factor for participation in the program. However, one requirement is that participants be enrolled at one of the five participating Saxon universities of research. Another requirement is having a partner organization. These can be companies as well as social institutions. It is advantageous if students or graduates are writing their final dissertation at a partner organization or are currently completing an internship there. Otherwise, we can assist in the search for a partner organization.
Contents of the Trainee Program
The 9-month program includes on-the-job training components—that is, time spent at the industry partner’s site—as well as off-the-job training components, which take place at the university.
Through team training sessions, case studies, and simulation exercises, participants learn modern management skills that are often not covered in their degree programs. Training weeks are scheduled for this purpose, covering topics such as “Gamification & Storytelling,” “Big Data,” “Innovation Management,” “Cybercrime & Counterintelligence for SMEs,” and “Digital Human Resources Management.” In addition, participants are required to complete a project paper that addresses a specific question or problem posed by the industry partner with practical application. This ensures that participants are well-prepared for future leadership roles and innovation projects and are in high demand as emerging leaders in the business world.
Good training modules and the high level of interdisciplinarity among the participants provided me, as a Mechanical Engineering student, with a wealth of new and valuable insights, and that is what makes this program so special to me. Maximilian Bürkle, one of the first trainees
”Objective of the Trainee Program
On the one hand, this program is designed to help participants ease into their careers and open up new opportunities. On the other hand, it aims to foster a connection with the university that extends beyond their actual studies. Ultimately, both of these elements create good conditions for future joint projects and collaborations. The concept of networking is therefore a particular focus, as participant Alexander Grünert explains: “Through the trainee weeks and networking days, we get to talk with each other as well as with the speakers and companies, and we can build our professional networks.”
The Importance of Industry Partners
A very important element of the trainee program is the industry partners. Here, trainees gain insights and, where possible, receive structured on-the-job training in relevant areas of responsibility. In addition, trainees complete a project on a topic relevant to the company. The focus of the project should be on innovation and knowledge transfer. Supervision is provided by a mentor at the industry partner and a university professor.
Internships or final dissertations often provide a suitable entry point or an interesting topic.
Through the trainee program, companies that participate as industry partners gain access to highly qualified future managers who can specifically promote and support knowledge transfer and innovation processes within the company. Additionally, they benefit from the connection to the university, as they receive support for their own research initiatives and innovation and knowledge transfer projects.
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