The participants were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Svea Petersen, who encouraged them in their choice of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and told them about her own path to a professorship. In a first joint workshop, the technicians got to know each other and discussed their expectations for the next six months. They were supported by two former participants of the program. This was followed by a team-building workshop in the climbing hall.
The participants have an exciting six months of career and study orientation ahead of them. They take part in a company internship four days a week and one day a week in first semester events at Osnabrück University and Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. In addition, there is a supporting program with visits to study courses, laboratories and companies.
The Niedersachsen-Technikum was developed 15 years ago by Prof. Barbara Schwarze at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and has since been one of the most successful projects for recruiting young female STEM talent in Germany. This is because nine out of ten female participants decide to study or train in the STEM field after completing their Technikum. Since 2010, more than 1000 women in over 100 companies from a wide range of sectors have taken part. In addition to the Hochschule and Osnabrück University, the TU Braunschweig, TU Clausthal, Hochschule Emden/Leer, Hochschule Hannover, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Universität Hildesheim and Jade Hochschule are currently offering the Niedersachsen-Technikum and are supporting a total of 41 female technicians this year.
The Niedersachsen-Technikum is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK). Since 2022, the Niedersachsen-Technikum has found another sponsor in the Dr. Jürgen and Irmgard Ulderup Foundation. The NiedersachsenMetall Foundation has supported the program since 2012.
