“Young Women in T.I.M.E.” aimed to raise awareness among young women about technical apprenticeships as part of their career guidance and to encourage them to consider such careers. The project was designed to help break down gender stereotypes in career choices and to highlight technical careers as attractive, future-oriented and socially relevant prospects. Schoolgirls were to be given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of technical activities, discover their own abilities and gain positive experiences in working with technology. Insights into the training and career paths of young women were intended to provide inspiration and guidance. Modern and target-group-specific information and motivational materials were to present technical apprenticeships in a way that is understandable and accessible. Furthermore, the project was intended to raise awareness of the importance of technical skills in the digital transformation and in tackling societal challenges such as climate change. All in all, it was intended to contribute to European objectives such as gender equality, inclusion and diversity in vocational education and training.
The motivation behind our “Young Women in T.I.M.E.” project: all our schools also provide training in technical and craft trades, and it is that young women are significantly under-represented in technical apprenticeship programmes (Technology, IT, Mathematics and Electronics). At the same time, businesses are reporting a high demand for qualified female specialists in technical fields, partly because the labour market situation in skilled trades is characterised by a significant shortage of skilled workers. The statistics bear this out: “Overall, the proportion of women in skilled trades who are in employment subject to social insurance contributions has remained unchanged at around 24 per cent since 2013…” (KoFa Kompakt 3-2025) Many schoolgirls do not consider technical careers – despite good future prospects – even though these offer good employment and earning opportunities, as well as long-term career prospects in a world of work increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. As career choices are still influenced by traditional gender roles and stereotypes, there was a need to make information tailored to the target group available, to highlight positive role models and to provide opportunities for hands-on experience.