Last Friday, a company open day was held in Zittau under the name "Spätschicht" (late shift ). This was accompanied by a discussion program organized by the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with the Institute for Communication, Information and Education (KIB). Visitors were able to take advantage of the so-called "on-site talk" at Stadtwerke Zittau and digades GmbH.

The event at digades GmbH opened at 4 p.m. with short speeches by the Mayor of Zittau, Thomas Zenker, and the Vice-Rector for Research at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Professor Tobias Zschunke. Afterwards, visitors were able to explore the eleven participating medium-sized companies according to their interests. A shuttle bus provided the necessary mobility between the four central company locations.

At digades, visitors were able to talk to employees about the production chain, while at Stadtwerke Zittau there were stations for individual supply services such as water, gas and heat. Everywhere, company employees were on hand to answer visitors' questions about work processes, their careers, training opportunities in the various areas and available apprenticeships in the respective companies.

Communicative students from the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences acted as moderators during the "Talk on site". They put shy visitors in touch with the company employees who could answer their questions most reliably, according to their individual interests.

In addition, our student assistants provided comprehensive information about courses of study at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, which could be particularly exciting for guests interested in technology and looking for training opportunities.

Based on the experience gained, the "Talk on site" will now be further expanded and improved for future "late shifts". After all, Upper Lusatia and the Zittau region offer great career opportunities for enthusiastic young technicians and would benefit massively if the numerous existing training opportunities were better utilized. The "Talk vor Ort" is intended to develop into an instrument that will continue to help draw attention to and communicate precisely these career and training opportunities in the future.